Unexpected Visitors at the End of the Year

The café Amane worked at would be closed for New Year's, allowing him to take it easy as the year came to an end. Whether he could actually relax, however, was an entirely different story.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Mahiru, is this how you cut it?"

It was New Year's Eve, the final day of the year. Amane and Mahiru had finished their big cleaning the day before in hopes of spending the last day of the year slowly without worrying about time…but that was, of course, wishful thinking. Just like last year, Amane found himself standing in the kitchen, helping Mahiru prepare osechi, the traditional Japanese New Year's dish.

Unlike last year, when he could barely cook, Amane was now capable of handling things in the kitchen, at least on a fundamental level. Since Mahiru usually took charge of dinner on days he was working, Amane felt it wrong to leave all the cooking to her. It would make him a poor excuse for a person. Thus, he'd volunteered to help out.

Ideally, Amane should have taken the lead in preparing the food, but seeing as he barely knew how to make osechi and could only vaguely remember what went inside it, there was no way he could have guided the process.

And so, he had settled into the role of Mahiru's assistant.

After receiving a brief lesson on decorative cutting from Mahiru, Amane did his best to slice the kamaboko, though it turned out a little clumsier than her example. When he showed it to her, Mahiru gave him a bright smile and said, "That's perfect, you're doing great," offering him a gold star of approval.

"Once you've cut them, please arrange them into the bottom-left section of the jubako box, alternating the colors as you go."

"Will do."

Mahiru considered the color, size, and number of the other osechi dishes they were currently making or had set aside to cool down. She instructed Amane while imagining the perfect arrangement for the final meal.

As he carefully positioned the red and white slices into the jubako box in a way that stood out just as Mahiru had instructed, Amane couldn't help but marvel at how she could juggle so many tasks simultaneously. At the same time, he felt a bit guilty, realizing that he had left her to do all of this on her own last year.

"I can only imagine what you went through making this last year…" "Hehe, I'm glad you understand how time-consuming it can be. Each individual osechi dish isn't too complicated, but when you add more of them, they start to pile up. It requires a lot of time and effort."

"I can't thank you enough for everything you put into this."

"Please don't bow your head, okay? We're still in the middle of cooking." "Yes, ma'am," Amane replied.

With the stove and oven running at full capacity, any haphazard movement could be dangerous, so Amane kept calm and focused on the tasks within his ability. His contribution was limited, especially after he almost burned the tazukuri earlier. From then on, he followed Mahiru's instructions to the letter while helping with the cooking.

"…Wait, I just kind of went along with it without much thought, but isn't it weird that you're making osechi like it's nothing? Is this really something that people make from scratch so easily?"

"It's all thanks to Koyuki-san's teachings," Mahiru answered. "To ensure I would be prepared for any situation, she taught me all sorts of things."

"Who is she, exactly…?"

"She claims to be your ordinary housewife."

"Ordinary, eh…?"

No matter how you looked at it, Koyuki's abilities were far from ordinary.

Even though Koyuki had become the housekeeper for Mahiru's household after her own child had grown old enough to live without her supervision, she must have acted as a housewife for many years. The fact that she wasn't just any housewife was clear from how she had taught Mahiru perfect homemaking skills. What's more, Koyuki had even provided thorough emotional education. What made her all the more remarkable was that she treated Mahiru—who wasn't her own child—with genuine care and affection and offered her heartfelt guidance as if she were her own daughter.

Amane really wanted to point out how there was nothing "ordinary" about Koyuki, but since they weren't close enough for him to casually contact her, he had no choice but to shelve the thought.

"Looking at Koyuki-san makes you lose sight of what 'ordinary' truly means," Mahiru remarked.

"Same goes for you, Mahiru." "Huh…?"

"Please understand just how amazing you are."

Koyuki was certainly an astounding woman, but the fact that Mahiru, who had received specialized education from her, was equally remarkable didn't seem to sink in for her. Mahiru effortlessly put in hard work and never skipped repetitive practice, taking it all in stride. But in reality, those were qualities worthy of praise, qualities she should take pride in.

"True, I suppose you could say I put in the effort…"

"Yeah, you're amazing. I always find myself impressed, and I really respect you for it. It's something you've spent years mastering—I could never do it."

"…Thank you, but flattery won't get you anywhere." "…I thought I'd at least get to see you blush."

In moments like these, Mahiru might lose sight of the effort she had put in if Amane didn't compliment her. That's why Amane believed he should always express his true thoughts whenever possible. He wasn't trying to flatter her—Mahiru genuinely worked hard and respected her for qualities he lacked.

Mahiru found it a bit embarrassing to take the praise head-on, letting out a cute little sigh as she murmured, "Goodness me." The sigh was one of happiness rather than displeasure. It seemed that she had properly accepted his compliment.

"I shall allow you a taste in return for the compliment."

As Mahiru pulled the freshly baked datemaki batter from the oven, Amane instinctively stepped back, keeping a safe distance from the hot tray—a precaution he had learned well from his job and baking cakes. Watching the steaming roll come out, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Fresh out of the oven!" with a bit of cheer.

The datemaki, which Amane had found so delicious last year that he ate more than his fair share, was now steaming and giving off a wonderful aroma. The scent of the batter alone was enough to make his mouth water in anticipation.

"…For now, there's just the trimmings. I still need to roll it while it's hot, so you'll have to wait," Mahiru told Amane, who looked like a dog being told to wait for a treat. His shoulders slumped in disappointment, and Mahiru, finding it amusing, stifled a laugh, her shoulders shaking as she quietly chuckled and spread out the bamboo mat for rolling.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Thanks to Amane's assistance, modest it may be, the osechi they had been preparing since morning filled the jubako boxes before sunset.

Even though they made smaller portions and fewer types of dishes since it was just the two of them, Amane couldn't help but marvel at how efficiently everything had come together.

There's still an impressive variety here… he thought. Just as he admired the large selection, Mahiru casually revealed, "I readied the meal prep for some of the dishes yesterday," which made him admire her skill and efficiency even more.

For the record, the datemaki was exquisite. Its freshly baked, fluffy, and moist texture offered a subtle sweetness and undertone of dashi flavor. As it was meant for tomorrow's New Year's celebration, Amane was scolded with a firm "Bad!" after tasting just one slice. Still, knowing he had something to look forward to the next day left him more than satisfied.

With everything prepared, all that remained was to let them cool.

Amane and Mahiru had started cleaning the kitchen when suddenly, the sound of the doorbell ringing echoed through the kitchen and living room. Both of them looked up at the same time, surprised by their unexpected visitor.

Amane hadn't ordered anything online, and if his parents were going to send a package, they would have messaged him the day before—especially after he'd reminded them to do so just the other day. That left the possibility of Itsuki or Chitose dropping by, but even though they were close friends, they seemed unlikely to visit unannounced on New Year's Eve. That possibility was quickly ruled out.

"I'll check the intercom real quick." "Okay," Mahiru replied.

Maybe it's a door-to-door salesperson… Amane thought. But who would come to make a sales pitch on New Year's Eve of all days? Puzzled, he tilted his head to one side.

He couldn't ask Mahiru, who was holding a wet sponge, to answer the door, so he quickly dried his hands with a towel and checked the blinking visitor light. As he looked at the intercom screen, he froze.

"Who would show up at a time like this…?" Amane had begun to mutter, only to stop mid-sentence. In a way, one of his guesses had been spot on, but in another sense, it was wildly off the mark.

"Is something the matter?" Mahiru asked. "…Wait, what? Why?"

"Pardon?"

"It's my dad and Itsuki."

"…Pardon?" Mahiru tilted her head in confusion, clearly just as puzzled as Amane by the unexpected situation.

If it had just been Itsuki, Amane wouldn't have been as confused, but why was his father, who lived far away, here—and why with Itsuki in tow? Amane couldn't begin to imagine or understand what had prompted this unexpected situation.

"I don't get it. I actually don't. Why's my dad here? And why with Itsuki?

I'm completely lost. But I guess I should let them in for now. Is that okay?" "I don't mind, but…"

Amane first asked Mahiru for permission, figuring that Shuuto and Itsuki already knew Mahiru was there. Though a bit flustered, Mahiru hesitantly agreed to let them in.

Not wanting to keep them waiting, Amane quickly allowed them through the main entrance of their apartment block, deciding it would be best to ask for an explanation once they were inside. Sure enough, just a few minutes later, the doorbell rang. When he opened the door, there they were—Itsuki and his father, Shuuto. It was a combination so strange that even Mahiru couldn't hide her confusion as she stood next to Amane.

"Sorry for dropping by at such a strange time. I'm sure we surprised you," Shuuto said with an apologetic smile.

"Honestly, yeah. I'm definitely surprised, but anyway…" Glancing to the side, Amane noticed Itsuki standing there in relatively light clothes—not at all suitable for the middle of winter. He wasn't dressed for the cold, and his complexion looked weary. Something didn't add up.

"…Sorry, Shiina-san. We must be bothering you."

"It's okay. We were just about finished with our work, so don't worry. I'll prepare some hot drinks for you now." Seeing that Itsuki looked like he might catch a cold, Mahiru quickly gave Amane a glance before nodding politely to the two and heading off to the kitchen.

Amane gestured for the two of them to come inside and settle down.

Shuuto entered with a calm smile, while Itsuki, looking uneasy and avoiding any and all eye contact, hesitated for a moment before stepping foot into his apartment.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Steam rose gently from the mug on the table, drifting toward Itsuki as if to bring life back to his pale face. Since he looked cold, Mahiru had made him some honey-ginger tea to warm him up, while for Shuuto, his favorite black tea.

Mahiru, who had chosen the drinks based on their preferences and condition, quietly handed the lightly dressed Itsuki a blanket. Then, she grabbed a cushion and sat down in a formal kneeling position next to Amane, who was sitting on the floor.

"I'm sure you have many questions, but let me talk first," Shuuto began. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Amane, Shiina-san?"

Amane, mindful of Itsuki's mood and waiting for him to open up on his own, decided first to ask Shuuto the reason for his visit. However, before he could say anything, Shuuto began to talk with his cheerful smile, already understanding him without saying a word.

"You say it's been a while, but you came to our cultural festival." "Yeah, but two months still counts as 'a while,' wouldn't you say?"

"Exactly," Mahiru chimed in. "We haven't seen each other in two months.

Shuuto-san, it has been a while. Once again, thank you for the Christmas present. I am making good use of it."

Although Mahiru had already expressed her gratitude for the gift through messages and video calls, she seemed determined to thank him properly in person. She bowed her head politely. As she had mentioned, only a little time had passed since Christmas, but she had been using the gift for her assignments and self-study time. She was genuinely pleased with how practical it was.

"I'm glad to hear that. I was worried it might have been a bother," Shuuto said.

"A bother? Not at all! I like it a lot, and it made me very happy!"

Seeing her flustered reaction, Shuuto smiled warmly, likely knowing all along that Mahiru would treasure the gift and use it carefully.

"So, can I hear what you really came to talk about?" Amane asked. "Sure. I told you I was coming this morning, but it looks like you missed it," Shuuto replied with a light chuckle.

"Really? Whoa, you're right. I was helping Mahiru make this year's osechi dishes, so I didn't check my phone… Sorry, that's on me."

When Amane checked his phone, just as Shuuto had said, there were two unread messages from him, which conveyed his plan to visit. Since Amane had told his parents he would be home for New Year's Eve, Shuuto had likely been confident that he would be there, even without a response. It was Amane's oversight for not checking his phone, so he couldn't blame Shuuto for showing up without him knowing.

"I should have let you know yesterday instead. Sorry about that. Must have been quite the surprise on your end," Shuuto apologized.

"Well, yeah—I was startled, but it's not like it was you I was surprised about, exactly."

It wasn't that Itsuki or Shuuto visiting was enough to make him fall over in shock. What surprised Amane was that the two of them—who had almost no connection with each other—had come together.

"First things first, you would like to know why I came here, yes? Well, my reason isn't complicated. I had some unavoidable business around these parts, and while I was at it… Well, I suppose you could say that this was my real goal. I came to check in on you," Shuuto explained.

"Yeah, I figured as much. Makes sense," Amane replied. "If it had been Mom saying that, though, I wouldn't have believed her for a second."

In one of his messages, Shuuto had mentioned that he had business nearby and planned to stop by on his way back, which all added up to Amane. It wasn't strange at all. Shuuto wouldn't suddenly decide to hop on a bullet train or drive over just to check in on someone without a solid reason. Now, if it had been Shihoko, well…it was indeed a possibility.

"That's not very nice."

"Well, if it were Mom, she'd obviously come just to see Mahiru. She'd probably even make up some excuse for it."

"Yeah, you're right. Shihoko-san was pouting earlier because she wanted to come with me."

Amane couldn't help but smile wryly at the mention of his mother, who was still as obsessed with Mahiru as ever. Mahiru, though embarrassed, couldn't hide the happiness that came with it, her eyebrows drooping slightly in a shy but pleased smile.

"So, how come you're with Itsuki? Do you have him as a contact or something?"

"No, nothing like that…I just happened to see him standing alone in the park on my way here, so I called out to him. He looked familiar, so I'm glad I wasn't mistaken."

His memory was as sharp as ever; Shuuto had spotted Itsuki and decided to take him along.

"…You looked like you were outside for quite a while, Itsuki. Did something happen?" Amane asked, concerned.

Thanks to the honey-ginger tea, the blanket, and the warm air in the room, Itsuki's complexion had become much better, gradually returning to normal. However, the troubled expression on his face remained unchanged.

Itsuki had always been sensitive to the cold. Amane couldn't imagine him willingly going out in light clothing at this time of year, and the idea of him sitting alone in a park without doing anything was even more unusual. Something had happened that made him rush out of the house—at least, that was Amane's guess.

"Well, uh… How do I explain this…" Itsuki hesitated. "You fought with your dad, didn't you?"

Itsuki running off like this was usually for that reason. Since it was New Year's Eve, he was likely spending more time at home with his family, and given the existing tension between him and his father, it wasn't surprising that they ended up in some kind of argument.

"What caused it this time?" Amane then asked.

"…This time, it's not all on my old man. He wasn't exactly the direct cause…"

"And by that, you mean?"

"Since it's the end of the year, my brothers begrudgingly returned home. Then, Dad and my older brother got into one of their usual arguments…and I kinda got caught in the crossfire. So, I stepped outside to clear my head and, well, stare off into the distance, I guess?"

"…Did your brother cause the fight?" "Pretty much."

Piecing together what Itsuki had said, his older brother—who had been living away from home with his partner due to their family issues—returned for the end-of-year holidays. This spiraled into an argument with their father, Daiki, which resulted in Itsuki being dragged into the fray. Frustrated, Itsuki stormed out of the house. Shuuto, who then happened to be passing by, spotted him and brought him along, likely both to check in and keep an eye on him.

"And does Daiki-san know you went out?"

"He might've noticed when I stormed out, but he was deep into his argument with my brother, so it's hard to say… You know how the heir of the family comes first and all that stuff."

From Itsuki's resigned tone and his exhausted and melancholy expression, Amane inferred that the atmosphere at home had been more than tense. Normally, Itsuki always maintained a bright attitude. He never let others see what he was going through. But now, he was visibly worn down.

"What do you want to do, Itsuki?"

"That's what I wanna know… I have no idea. What do I want to do?

What should I do?"

"…Did the argument happen because your brother said he still doesn't want to inherit the family or something?"

Itsuki flinched slightly, his body tensing as his mouth formed a frown.

Given what Amane knew about Daiki, he didn't seem like a man who would get angry without good reason. He was strict but not unreasonable. So, for him to have such a heated argument meant something dire had happened. Amane guessed that the future of the Akazawa family was at stake, which was a matter that involved both Itsuki and his older brother. As it turned out, his prediction wasn't too far from the truth.

"He didn't outright refuse to take over, but… Well, my brother remained calm but still made his resistance known. He said things like, 'Dad, if you're so set in your ways after so long, then I'll just…' And when I tried to step in and mediate, they both shut me down. 'Kids shouldn't speak up,' and 'You don't have to inherit a thing, so you'd never understand!' they said. So yeah, there wasn't much I could do."

"Itsuki…"

"Like, what do they even want from me? They should learn how it feels to be constantly dragged into this damn mess." Itsuki's bitter words reflected his true feelings.

In his current situation, as the second son, Itsuki found himself in a kind of limbo state—he was a backup, so to speak. He had some degree of freedom yet remained tethered to responsibility, like a balloon floating aimlessly but still held by a string. With the two people holding that string constantly at odds, it was no wonder that Itsuki, bound in this uncertain position, was being shaken and tossed around emotionally.

Even so, frustration weighed heavier on Itsuki than anger. He gripped the blanket tightly and let out a deep sigh.

"…Um, Shuuto-san, may I ask you something?" Itsuki spoke up hesitantly.

"If it's something I can answer, I'll be more than happy to."

Itsuki likely wanted to ask questions to an adult unrelated to him and his circumstances. Shuuto wouldn't bend his opinions or sugarcoat things just because Itsuki was his son's friend. Amane could confidently say that his father would always speak his mind without bias or unwelcome consideration.

"Shuuto-san…would you want your child to take over after you?" "Before I answer, please remember that I can only speak as someone who isn't bound by the responsibility of passing on a legacy. That will affect my answer."

Shuuto didn't know the full details of Itsuki's situation. As Amane respected Itsuki's privacy, he had never shared his friend's troubles with his parents. Shuuto would have to base his answer on what he had just heard and his recent brief encounter with Daiki.

"My family isn't one with a legacy important enough to pass down, so my answer might differ slightly from what you seek, Itsuki-kun. But, I do think that seeing their child walk the same path would make any parent happy. It means that they've surpassed their parents and continue forward still."

The Fujimiya family wasn't a distinguished household like the Akazawas, and while some things were passed down within their family, they were an ordinary household. Shuuto couldn't fully grasp the depth of Itsuki's specific struggles, but he was aware of that and thoughtfully continued his explanation.

"However," Shuuto continued, his voice stern, "I also believe it's not something we should force. Given my more relaxed methods, maybe this is easier for me to say, but if a family line ends, it ends. There's nothing more to it. I personally wouldn't be concerned."

"…Even if it means ending a path followed for generations?" Itsuki followed up, asking again.

"Yes, even so. Of course, it would make me happy to see my child continuing down the path I'd once taken. But ultimately, I intend to leave that decision up to them."

"Dad…" Amane murmured, touched by his words.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't think preserving a family legacy is inherently bad," Shuuto clarified. "Passing down something entrusted from generation to generation is important. There are things today that only exist because of that. I'm not saying your father has a flawed mindset, either."

"I…see," Itsuki replied solemnly.

"However, I don't believe forcing it will lead to anything good. People resist harder the more they're pressured," Shuuto said with a faint, bittersweet smile while looking off into the distance. "After all's said and done, parents and children are separate individuals—completely different people. Even if a parent wishes for their child to become this or act like that, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will happen. Nor does it mean that parents should have the right to decide everything for their child. Things rarely go exactly as planned. In fact, I, too, rebelled against my parents when I was younger."

"Wait, what?"

"I wasn't exactly a well-behaved kid. I was always causing trouble for my parents."

Amane had always thought his father and paternal grandparents were on excellent terms as they never had any arguments or conflicts—an ideal parent-child relationship. But according to Shuuto, that wasn't always the case during his younger years. Now, he was nothing but a composed, gentle adult, and even Amane saw him as a well-put-together person. But according to Shuuto himself, "I was a bit of a handful back in the day," much to Amane's surprise.

"So, Itsuki-kun, you're struggling with how to handle your future because of your family's situation, is that right?" Shuuto asked gently.

"…Yes," Itsuki nodded with a troubled expression, weighed down by the issues surrounding Daiki, Chitose, the family legacy, and the matter of succession.

Seeing this, Shuuto continued, his face calm and reassuring. "Coming from me, the words I'm about to say might sound irresponsible. But, from what I can tell, your father seems like the kind of man who can sit down and talk things out."

"That's not—"

"I understand, Itsuki-kun. To you, that's not how things appear. Your father likely seems stubborn and dismissive of your feelings. But I don't believe that he's truly an unreasonable, unyielding man who won't listen at all," Shuuto continued calmly.

Amane felt the same way. Daiki wasn't a stubborn, inflexible man who refused to listen to his sons or was set in his own ways. Daiki wouldn't have taken Amane's words to heart if he were that rigid when he reached out.

Daiki was a firm man with principles and a clear sense of direction, but he was also capable of warmth. Amane believed that after the incident with Itsuki and Chitose, Daiki had grown more rigid out of concern for his son, and those worries made him seem more inflexible.

"At the moment, I gather that you haven't been able to get your father to sit down and have a proper conversation. I don't see him being mentally prepared for that stage yet."

"To sit down…?"

"What I mean is that preparation is necessary for everything. You can't have a constructive discussion in the middle of a storm."

Shuuto took a sip of his now-cooling tea, his gaze steady as he looked at Itsuki. His look was soft and compassionate, yet at the same time, piercing. He saw straight through to the heart of the matter.

"Parents' egos tend to rear their heads at times like these. I imagine your father's concerns are a mix of what he believes is best for himself and for you. That's likely why he's being so stubborn."

"Do you really think he believes it's for my sake?" Itsuki returned, doubt clouding his voice.

"Even parents can lose sight of what's around them. Their vision clouds, and they overlook what's truly important to them. Things they do with the best intentions can become shackles for their children. This is the result.

Haven't you ever done something you thought was right, only for it to lead to a situation that—while not the worst-case scenario—was still far from ideal?"

Itsuki bit his lip, clearly recalling something from the past. Whatever memory surfaced, it must have struck a chord. After a few moments of silence, Itsuki quietly asked. "What…should I do?"

"What is it that you truly want, Itsuki-kun?" Shuuto responded gently. "To be with Chi— with Chitose."

"And what does your father want?"

Itsuki's face turned bitter. "Obviously, for me to break up with her as quickly as possible."

"No, that's wrong." "Amane?"

"I don't think that's what he actually wants," Amane said, his voice steady.

Amane wasn't trying to defend Daiki. Emotionally, he sided with Itsuki. However, he couldn't fully agree with Itsuki's belief that Daiki was trying to tear him and Chitose apart forcibly. It was true that Daiki hadn't yet accepted or fully recognized Chitose, but he hadn't actively tried to get rid of her either. In fact, from Amane's perspective, it seemed like Daiki wanted to accept her, even if he struggled to do so.

However, it seemed that Daiki was grappling with something he couldn't fully accept, so he struggled to accept the situation.

"You're only saying that because you have a reason to back it up, right?" Itsuki pursued.

"…I know it's bad to make assumptions about other people's parents, but I don't think Daiki-san wants to force you to break up with Chitose," Amane replied, gathering his thoughts. "At least, I've never heard him actually say anything like 'you should break up.'"

"You don't think he held back when you were around because you're my friend?"

"I considered that too, but I don't think that's what's happening." "…If so, then that must be how it looks to you. But to me, it feels like he's long since made his mind up—that I need to break up with Chi."

It was only natural that Amane's view of Daiki differed from that of his own son. To Itsuki, it probably seemed like his friend was defending the very person who was the cause of all his frustrations. Amane noticed a flash of red spread across Itsuki's previously pale face.

"My dad's nothing like yours! Your parents actually care about you! My dad doesn't give a damn how I feel!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Itsuki's face turned dark. He quickly realized he'd let his emotions get the better of him. Regret instantly hit him, and his previously tense shoulders slumped. With a serious, almost pained look, he muttered, "Sorry…" in a way that made even Amane feel a little guilty.

"Don't worry about it," Amane replied. "I get it. It's frustrating when someone who doesn't really know the situation tries to talk as though they do, and it must've sounded like I was taking Daiki-san's side. You're not the one at fault, Itsuki. I messed up. I'm really sorry."

Sticking by him and agreeing with everything he said wasn't true friendship or care—that was only a way to avoid conflict and get through the moment. That wasn't what Amane wanted to do for Itsuki. Doing so would have betrayed the trust Itsuki had placed in him. Amane knew his friend was genuinely struggling to find his way, and he didn't want to just leave him stuck in place by skirting the issue. The reality was that Amane had partially defended Daiki, which only fueled Itsuki's anger even more. He genuinely regretted that and knew Itsuki had every right to be upset.

"…You idiot. What're you apologizing for?"

"Cause I was in the wrong."

"As if. I just got mad and took it out on you for no reason. You're not in the wrong. I'm just sitting here, ranting and whining like some pathetic drunk."

"Drunk? What, from honey-ginger tea?" "Shut up, man," Itsuki grumbled.

Knowing what Itsuki was like, Amane deliberately tried to lighten the mood, as keeping the conversation too serious for too long wouldn't help. Itsuki seemed to understand this and played along, albeit a bit theatrically. While his frustration wasn't completely gone, he no longer seemed inclined to vent it at Amane. Instead, Itsuki swallowed his anger and tried to show his usual bright smile.

Shuuto, who had quietly observed without interrupting, waited until the tension between Amane and Itsuki had eased before he spoke again.

"My stance as a parent differs from Daiki-san's, so I can't say too much," Shuuto began. "But even just once, I think having a calm conversation with him is important. I, too, don't see him as someone who would dismiss everything out of hand. I also understand your point, Itsuki, about feeling like he doesn't listen… Which is why, when you approach him, you need to play your cards right to ensure he will."

"My cards?"

"Weak points, advantages, disadvantages…anything will do," Shuuto explained. "If you can't get him to sit down and talk, there's no conversation to be had. Realize that making him understand or winning him over without any leverage is a nigh impossible feat. Keep in mind that parents already hold powerful cards just by virtue of their position. From a child's perspective, it can feel like an unfair advantage right from the start."

"…So, without that leverage, it's like there's no point in having a conversation," Itsuki noted with a sigh.

"I wouldn't say it's pointless, but at the very least, he's unlikely to listen. Ideally, you'd be able to sit down and have an honest conversation without any bargaining involved. But the fact that you haven't been able to do that until now is exactly why you've been struggling, isn't it?"

"…Right."

"Your father probably doesn't see you as an equal. He still views you as a child who needs to be protected and believes you must follow his words as your parent."

Itsuki had likely sensed that himself. There was a palpable tension in his face as his jaw tightened.

"You don't want things to completely fall apart with your father, right, Itsuki-kun? In that case, you must engineer a situation that drags him to the negotiating table. If you react impulsively or rebel recklessly, it will only make him double down." Despite only having spoken with Daiki briefly, Shuuto seemed to have a keen grasp of his personality.

Amane wasn't deeply involved in the situation either, so it was simply a case of Shuuto's impression of Daiki matching what Amane had observed. At the very least, it didn't seem like Itsuki's perception of his father was as far off from theirs as he might think.

"Not everyone is understanding, and not everyone shares the same values. There will be people who don't want what you want. Whether something is right or wrong can be interpreted in many ways."

"…So, even though I don't believe what my dad says is best for me, he thinks it's the right thing from his perspective. Is that what you mean?"

"And vice versa," Shuuto continued. "What you want may not necessarily seem beneficial to your father. This is why neither of you can back down so easily."

"…But I…" Itsuki started but hesitated.

"For that exact reason, you need to take steps to bring him to the table. If you want to avoid the worst-case scenario, the safest route is to prepare a bargaining chip or two."

The "worst outcome" Shuuto referred to was likely cutting ties with his family and leaving the household for good. Itsuki had probably considered this possibility himself. However, taking such a bold step would come with significant risks, and Amane didn't think Chitose would want Itsuki to head down that path. If she found out that Itsuki was severing ties with his family for her sake, she would talk him out of it. After all, Chitose had been struggling to gain Daiki's approval so that Itsuki's position would remain unchanged. Amane couldn't imagine her agreeing to Itsuki cutting himself off from his family.

"Once you've picked out your cards, you need to figure out what exactly it is you want, Itsuki-kun," Shuuto advised. "What is your wish? How can you realistically make that wish come true? Have you set any concrete goals? And how much are you willing to compromise? It's better to sort all that out before you have your discussion. If all you offer is a vague hope with no clear plan, then go in with the assumption that your father won't take you seriously. He would be quite strict about that particularly, I imagine."

With his stubborn, unwavering, and headstrong attitude, Daiki wouldn't accept any half-hearted arguments. Itsuki, too, understood this as he pressed his lips together and furrowed his brow in thought. Seeing this, Shuuto silently encouraged Itsuki gently as he processed everything.

"If, after doing all you can, you still can't reach an understanding, then I am willing to become one of your cards as well. Having another adult on your side can be a powerful asset," Shuuto offered "…Why are you willing to go so far to support me? I don't think I've done anything to earn your favor, and there's nothing in it for you."

Itsuki couldn't understand why Shuuto was so ready to help him. From his perspective, Shuuto was simply Amane's father, someone with whom he had no direct relationship. Aside from a brief greeting two or so months ago, Shuuto was practically an outsider to him. Of course Itsuki would be suspicious. Shuuto hadn't just listened carefully and given advice; he had even offered to step in and offer help directly—something that Itsuki naturally found odd. If Amane were in Itsuki's shoes and Daiki, for instance, suddenly became that involved and supportive, Amane would likely be just as skeptical, wondering if there was some ulterior motive behind it.

Shuuto blinked a few times, then smiled gently to alleviate any suspicions or doubts.

"I owe a debt of gratitude," Shuuto said with a calm smile. "A debt…?" Itsuki asked, confused.

"I believe it was you who saved my son, Amane. Because you reached out to him and offered him your hand, my son avoided going down a dark road. And now, he's living peacefully, just like this," Shuuto said with a smile. "…Would that reason satisfy you?"

Shuuto cherished Itsuki's presence in Amane's life far more than he had expected.

Amane had never discussed Itsuki with his parents in detail, but they understood that he was one of his closest friends and someone he could truly trust. When Amane retreated back into his shell, his parents were the ones most concerned for his well-being. They were worried when he chose to distance himself from all the noise and commotion of his hometown and headed for a place where no one knew him, yet they still offered him their support.

Now, Amane realized how grateful Shuuto had been to Itsuki—far more than even Amane had known. Itsuki had accepted him as a friend when Amane chose to be alone.

…This is quite embarrassing for me, though… Amane thought.

Hearing your parent express gratitude to your friend for simply being your friend was enough to embarrass any child. Amane certainly felt that way, but knowing that both Itsuki and Shuuto would likely chalk up any response he gave as him just being shy, he decided to stay quiet.

"If that's not enough of a reason, then…" Shuuto continued thoughtfully, "I'll say this—I'm not trying to point fingers here, but I don't think your father's attitude toward you can be considered fair. As an individual, I would like to support and watch over your choices, Itsuki-kun. I have a soft spot for those who are earnest and single-minded in their pursuits. It's a good quality to possess."

This time, Shuuto expressed his fondness for Itsuki in a lighthearted tone. Itsuki was caught off guard momentarily and stared back at Shuuto, who continued to show his gentle demeanor. Then, as if trying to hold back something, Itsuki's brows drooped, and a soft, almost resigned expression took over his face.

"…This isn't fair."

Despite having a feeling about what Itsuki meant by not "fair," Amane remained silent, simply watching over his friend as he quietly reflected. Shuuto, too, didn't say another word. Patiently and quietly, he observed Itsuki as he sat with his head bowed, waiting for him to come to a decision.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Here, Itsuki. Don't catch a cold."

After remaining quiet for a while, Itsuki finally decided to head home before the sun completely set. He thanked Amane and made his way toward the front door.

Itsuki walked with a newfound purpose, much more composed than when he arrived. Seeing this, Amane felt at ease. Quietly, he retrieved a coat and scarf from the room. As Itsuki bent down to put on his shoes, Amane gently placed the items on his head.

Startled by the sudden darkness covering his vision, Itsuki's momentary confusion made Amane chuckle for a moment. Itsuki lifted the coat and scarf, holding them in his arms. His eyes—no longer burning with frustration—met Amane's.

"…Thanks," he muttered.

"Just return them next time we meet. Hopefully, you won't have that gloomy look on your face when we do," replied Amane, teasing.

"Can't you just say you're worried about me? C'mon."

"If I did, you'd just pretend everything's okay." Amane knew he had the same habit, but Itsuki had an even stronger inclination to shoulder everything alone.

Itsuki always put on a bright, carefree front, trying to act playful and easygoing. However, now that Amane knew him well, he could see beneath that exterior. Inside, Itsuki was serious, secretive, and held a strong sense of responsibility—someone who believed he couldn't rely on others. It was as if he wore a mask to hide his real feelings and what he was going through.

It wasn't hard to imagine that he was the type to carry his pain and anxieties alone. He always had a habit of enduring until he was right on the edge of breaking, something Amane had long wished he could change. This time, though, even if it was Shuuto's gentle encouragement that prompted it, Itsuki had reached out for support. That gesture made Amane genuinely happy.

Itsuki grimaced at Amane's remark, but the fact that he could react like that was a sign that his heart had settled down remarkably. Seeing this, Amane chuckled yet again.

"Well, if things go south, feel free to crash here if you need a place to sort things out. Just don't keep everything bottled up," Amane said, his tone light but serious. "And also—"

"…What now?"

"Don't try to solve everything on your own." "What?"

"It's your family's issue, yeah, but it's also an issue that involves you, Chitose, and Daiki-san. I get that you don't want to say anything to Chitose, that you don't want to hurt her. I really do. But if you try to handle everything alone, she probably wouldn't be okay with that."

Itsuki most likely believed that since he technically started the issue, it was his sole responsibility to handle it to the end. However, Amane couldn't imagine Chitose ever agreeing with that mindset.

"If you want to spend your future with Chitose, then not asking how she feels about it would be doing her an injustice," Amane said firmly. "If you just tell her everything after the fact, she'll definitely get angry."

Whether it turned out to be reconciliation, keeping things as they were, or cutting ties, Itsuki's failure to discuss things with Chitose first would surely cause a rift between them. Negotiating without one of the key people involved would never lead to a future where everyone is satisfied.

Knowing this, Amane offered a warning and a reminder to the ever-self-reliant Itsuki. Amane noticed his friend's eyes dart awkwardly as if realizing he had been caught out.

"…Actin' like you got me all figured out," grumbled Itsuki. "How long do you think I've been your friend?"

"Barely a year and a half, you idiot." "Has it really been that short?" "…Yeah, tell me about it."

Amane felt like they'd had a similar exchange before, only with the roles reversed, so today must have been Itsuki's way of returning the favor. When Amane smiled at the nostalgic feeling, Itsuki couldn't help but crack his best smile of the day, a sign that he had finally made peace.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

"Did Itsuki-kun seem okay?" Shuuto spoke with a concerned voice as Amane returned to the living room after seeing Itsuki off.

"For now, he's at least pulled himself together. The rest is up to him, and that's about all I can say."

"I agree. I might have overstepped by sticking my nose too far into another family's affairs. I can only hope that Itsuki-kun can find some way forward," Shuuto added.

"…Yeah."

"Every family has their own set of challenges to face," Shuuto muttered sincerely.

"I truly apologize for all the trouble I caused back then." As the cause for Shuuto's challenges in the past, Amane could only bow his head deeply, unable to simply brush the comment off.

Shuuto chuckled gently. "Ha ha ha, for me, Amane, your feelings matter most. You've managed to find a place for yourself here, so who am I to say anything? We just let you leave the nest a little earlier than most, right?"

His parents had never stopped worrying about him, but they had sent him off with open hearts despite that. Now, Amane realized that this had been their ultimate display of trust. Some people might interpret living alone as a high school student as being neglected, but to Amane, his current situation directly reflected his parents' faith in him. He didn't want to betray that trust—he wanted to live up to it.

"I'm no longer worried about you. You've started looking forward, and you work hard for the right things. If you've chosen your path, all we can do is give you a little push from behind."

"…Dad," Amane murmured, moved by his response.

"Above all, you've found someone precious to you, so there's nothing more I could ask for."

Mahiru, who had been silently listening to the conversation about Itsuki's troubles, suddenly blushed at the words "someone precious." Amane let out a sigh, feeling his cheeks heat up.

I don't like how Dad does that…

"Dad."

"Yes?"

"I think that's a questionable habit to have," Amane replied with a sigh. "Ha ha, is that so? Sorry, but this is just who I am, so I can't change it. But if you really don't like it, I can try to tone it down a little," Shuuto replied with a chuckle.

"…I didn't say it was bad." "Is that so?"

Had it been excessive teasing instead, Amane would have pushed back or even gotten angry. But since Shuuto's remarks were more just his genuine thoughts slipping out, Amane found it hard to truly get mad at him. Though he didn't believe that was always an excuse, the way Shuuto spoke with such sincere eyes and a gentle smile, as if he was pleased, left him with no will to argue.

Although Amane had a few thoughts about how Shuuto seemed to use this to his advantage, he knew more than anyone else that Shuuto truly cared for him. As such, he had no choice but to accept it as just another one of those things.

As Amane slowly exhaled, trying to dissolve the faint dissatisfaction lingering in the air, Shuuto gave his usual smile. Then, with movements as gradual as Amane's breath, he gently rose from the sofa.

"Well then, I've had my chance to say hello to my lovely children, so I suppose it's time I took my leave. I'd originally planned to drop by for your parent-teacher meetings, though."

"I wouldn't dream of forcing someone swamped with work to clear their schedule just for that," Amane declared. He knew that his father's job was by no means a black company, but it was still a fact that Shuuto was a busy man. Amane would feel guilty asking both his parents to go out of their way to attend.

"Those meetings are important events, you know?" Shuuto said with a serious tone. "They're all about your child's future."

"Even so. Mom came, and she's pretty reliable with things like that…though some other things about her are hard to defend."

"I'm sure Shihoko-san would be quite upset if she heard that." "It'll be fine as long as you don't tell her," Amane said.

"I suppose I have no choice. I'll keep it a secret from Shihoko-san," Shuuto turned to Mahiru. "Especially since I got to enjoy some delicious tea."

"We have Mahiru to thank for that," Amane added with a sigh of relief.

He bowed his head in gratitude toward Mahiru to thank her for the delicious tea, and she looked visibly flustered, causing Amane to chuckle.

"Shiina-san, thank you for today. It must have been quite the surprise," Shuuto said warmly.

"No, it's okay. I was slightly startled, but it was nice to see you again, Shuuto-san," Mahiru replied politely.

"If you'd told me earlier, we could've prepared a proper welcome," Amane noted.

"It was a last-minute matter, you see. At the request of my father," Shuuto explained with a slight shrug.

If he'd just told me the day before… Although it was Amane's fault for not noticing the message that had come in earlier that morning, Amane still couldn't help but hope his father had messaged a bit earlier. However, now knowing that Shuuto had moved at the request of his grandfather, Amane could understand the sudden visit.

"Actually, Shihoko-san wanted to come too, but it wouldn't do to bring her along for one of my father's errands, and she had things to take care of at home. And let's be honest, she wouldn't want to leave after arriving."

"Mom would totally wanna stay the night here," Amane remarked. "I can see her wanting to go for the first shrine visit of the year, too. She'd settle in and refuse to go home."

"Exactly."

Shuuto's judgment was so spot-on that Amane gave him a thumbs-up in approval.

As for Mahiru, she wouldn't mind Shihoko staying over and actually welcomed the idea. She lowered her eyes slightly in disappointment and murmured, "What a shame…" a reaction that would surely bring Shihoko to tears.

"Please give my regards to Shihoko-san," Mahiru then said politely. "Next time, you should both come together."

"Of course. I'll tell her you were looking forward to seeing her," Shuuto smiled.

"Feels like she's gonna show up the moment she hears that," Amane sighed, already imagining the sudden visit.

"Aha ha, well, you should be fine. My parents are dropping by this year." "Grandpa and Grandma?"

When Shuuto suddenly mentioned an errand for his father, Amane thought something seemed a bit strange. It turned out that his grandparents were coming to visit their family home this time. The Fujimiya family didn't gather often with their relatives, but they would visit or be visited every few years by their grandparents. This year, Amane's grandparents must have decided to visit themselves.

"They were disappointed that they wouldn't see you, Amane. They also said they wanted to meet that 'special someone' of yours."

"S-Special someone…" echoed Mahiru. "Dad…"

"It wasn't me," Shuuto clarified. "I'll complain to Mom later."

"I suppose that's fair."

Amane could always count on Shihoko to let things slip regarding Mahiru. Deciding to press her about it later, he figured he'd use the opportunity to extend his year-end greetings as well.

Shuuto was utterly unfazed by the idea of his son scolding his wife. He would probably even back Amane up with a nice and quick, "Well, you're the one who let it slip, Shihoko-san, so it's your fault." His calm and impartial attitude reminded Amane of how fair-minded his father was.

That's one thing I like about my dad, Amane thought as he followed him to the front door with Mahiru.

"Well then, until next time. Have a great New Year."

"Yes, I hope you both have a wonderful New Year too," Mahiru replied politely.

"Be careful you and Mom don't catch a cold," warned Amane. "Give my regards to Grandpa and Grandma."

"Got it. Take care, and see you soon," Shuuto said with a wave before heading out.

As the front door opened, chilly air swept through the house, ushering out the warmth as Shuuto left. Amane quietly watched his father's dependable figure disappear into the cold. After a moment, he turned to Mahiru, who was peering up at him, and gently patted her head.

"It's been quite the stormy day." As they walked back to the living room together, Amane couldn't help but think back on the two visitors they'd had today.

"It isn't over just yet…but indeed. I wasn't expecting to see Akazawa-san and Shuuto-san together like that." Mahiru replied, her soft cheeks showing a faint smile.

"I'm guessing Dad just couldn't leave Itsuki alone after spotting him… Honestly, Itsuki should've just come straight to me in the first place, especially since he made it all the way to our park."

"I think Akazawa-san hesitated at the last minute. He tends to focus a lot on the mood, doesn't he? Even though he tells you to rely on him, he tries to shoulder his problems alone. I assume he held back because I was there," Mahiru replied, coming to the same conclusion as Amane.

He couldn't help but stare at her face in surprise, studying her closely. "You keep a pretty close eye on Itsuki too, huh, Mahiru?"

"Well, he's a dear friend to you, to me, and he's my dear friend's boyfriend… Are you jealous, by any chance?"

"Nnnnope. It's just… I feel a bit like, even though he tries to do everything himself, he has people watching out for him, you know?"

Itsuki had a habit of keeping things a secret, dodging questions, and avoiding scrutiny, but people around him understood his true nature.

Chitose, his girlfriend, naturally understood him the best, but Amane, Mahiru, and even Yuuta also recognized his sensitive side. As a friend, watching him try to handle everything independently was frustrating. If he had been more open with his struggles and leaned on others, support would have been waiting for him.

"I think you could be a little more straightforward with Akazawa-san too, you know?" Mahiru suggested. "…I'll try."

"Isn't that exactly why Chitose-san and the others call you a 'tsundere'?"

Why does everyone keep trying to slap some weird label on me? Amane narrowed his eyes at Mahiru. I can maybe see the "tsun" part, but there's nothing "dere" to see here.

Nonetheless, Mahiru didn't feel the slightest bit of doubt about the label.

She merely looked at his expression and smiled, saying, "Oh, please don't start sulking. Geez," leaving him baffled yet again.

Amane sighed, muttering, "Good grief," as he turned away. An amused laugh rang out beside him, but he kept looking away, responding with silence.