Chapter 158: Like Father, Like Daughter!

To support his wife and daughter's passion for the bass,

Shouji Minami had built a practice studio in their backyard.

Of course—

Due to space and soundproofing limitations,

The studio was small and simple.

Pushing open the door,

The first thing that met his eyes—

Were various band posters covering the walls.

All personally chosen by Shouji Ryo and Shouji Yuna.

And among them—

Ticket stubs from countless performances.

Souvenirs from the many live shows that Ryo and Kessoku Band had played over the years.

According to his memories,

At this point in time—

Kessoku Band was already one of Japan's most famous indie bands.

And with his guidance,

They had even secured deals with several major record labels.

If things continued at this pace—

Kessoku Band would likely perform at Tokyo Dome in the near future.

And Shouji Yuna—

Was currently working tirelessly to follow in her mother's footsteps.

Of course—

She had Ryo's personal coaching.

And Kessoku Band's members would drop by occasionally to check on her progress.

As a result—

Her improvement was astonishingly fast.

"She's probably still practicing now."

With that thought,

Shouji Minami walked deeper into the house.

But—

Before he even reached the practice room,

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Because just outside the break room,

He could hear voices.

The break room wasn't soundproofed,

Unlike the studio itself.

So standing by the door,

Minami could easily hear his daughter's voice.

Her tone was calm,

Smooth and magnetic as always.

He rubbed his chin.

"She's probably talking to her bandmates."

After all—

Rock music wasn't a solo act.

So naturally,

Yuna had to form a band.

And renting practice space outside was too expensive.

So they often borrowed the family's studio.

"I wonder what they're talking about?"

Curious,

Shouji Minami leaned in slightly to listen.

After all—

She was his daughter.

With his superior genes,

She was probably discussing something productive.

Maybe music theory.

Maybe bass techniques.

Or maybe even—

Some deep discussion on how to balance school and practice.

Pleased with this thought,

Minami listened closely.

Then—

"Akiko, it's time for this month's 'friendship fee,' don't you think?"

The flat, emotionless tone of a debt collector.

"Huh…? But… but I just gave you money last week…"

A hesitant, weak voice responded.

"Actually, I lost my wallet recently, and things are a bit tight… Please, Akiko, just lend me some for now."

"H-Huh…? But…"

The girl sounded conflicted.

"I'm begging you, Akiko!"

The sound of hands clasping together—pleading.

"U-Um… well… How much do you need?"

"Ten thousand… no, thirty thousand… no, that's too annoying to count. Akiko, can I just see your wallet?"

"H-Huh…?"

"Seriously… Akiko, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be able to survive right now."

"I've been living off wild grass lately. I've reached my limit."

The same calm, unshaken tone.

"Ehhh?! That bad?! U-Um… Here! This is my wallet, Yuna-san!"

A small zipper unzipped.

The sound of paper bills being flipped through.

"Ah… exactly fifty thousand yen… Thanks, Akiko. You really are my dearest friend."

"N-No, it's okay! As long as I can help Yuna-san, I'm happy!"

The voice sounded flustered, yet pleased.

"I'll pay you back next month."

The sound of a wallet being returned.

Minami: "..."

Slowly,

He pressed a hand to his forehead.

And let out a long, tired sigh.

After listening to that entire conversation,

Shouji Minami could confirm one thing.

Shouji Yuna was, without a doubt—

His biological daughter.

Because that dialogue…

Sounded way too familiar.

After silently eavesdropping for a little while longer,

He finally decided—

It was time to make his entrance.

Pretending as if he had just arrived,

Minami lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Hearing the response,

He opened the door.

Sitting on the lounge chair inside the room—

A short-haired girl cradled a bass guitar in her arms.

Her deep blue bob hung loosely around her face,

And her slender, pale fingers rested gently on the glossy bass strings.

Her cold, indifferent expression remained unchanged—

Until she lifted her head—

And noticed who had entered the room.

For a brief moment—

Her calm façade cracked, revealing genuine surprise.

"Daddy."

Yuna stood up immediately,

Politely nodding in greeting.

In this household—

She could completely ignore her free-spirited mother.

But when it came to her father—

That was a different story.

Compared to her too carefree mother,

She had grown up under Shouji Minami's guidance.

A man with endless knowledge, vast experience, and unparalleled intelligence.

To her—

He was someone worthy of admiration.

Next to her,

The long-haired girl she had been talking to nervously stood up as well.

"S-Shouji-san…!"

Her voice was timid, trembling slightly.

"It's an honor to meet you…! Um, my name is Makino Akiko!"

"Hello, Akiko."

Shouji Minami smiled politely,

But his attention quickly shifted elsewhere.

Without acknowledging the daughter who had just been brazenly extorting money,

He turned to the black-haired girl before him.

Even without asking,

He already knew who she was.

Makino Akiko.

One of Yuna's bandmates.

But more importantly—

She had a personality that was a little too familiar.

In fact—

It reminded him way too much of…

Gotoh Hitori.

Timid, Yet Obedient...

Makino Akiko was a little shy.

Not as bad as Goto Hitori—

At the very least, she could visit a friend's house without having a nervous breakdown.

Still—

She had the same kind of anxious energy.

The same tendency to go along with things.

Shouji Minami smiled kindly at her.

Seeing the handsome, elegant man smiling at her—

Makino Akiko's heartbeat suddenly sped up.

Her face turned bright red,

And she immediately lowered her head,

Avoiding eye contact.

She had heard Shouji Yuna praise her father countless times.

But up until now,

She had only ever met her famous bassist mother.

She had always been curious about—

The man who raised someone like Yuna.

And now that she had seen him in person—

She finally understood.

"No wonder Yuna is so good-looking..."

(TN: Reminds me of Teruhashi Kokomi from Saiki K)

With a father like this—

It was no surprise that Yuna received so many love letters every year.

Feeling embarrassed,

Makino Akiko hid her flushed face beneath her long black bangs.

Watching the awkward interaction,

Shouji Yuna took a step forward and asked—

"Daddy, was there something you needed?"

"Nothing important.

Just wanted to check on my daughter."

Shouji Minami blinked innocently.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"N-No… N-No, not at all! Shouji-san!"

Before Yuna could even respond,

Makino Akiko suddenly panicked.

"I-I was just about to leave! Really! I don't want to intrude!"

She quickly grabbed her guitar case,

Looking like she was about to bolt.

"No need to rush, Akiko."

Shouji Minami smiled gently,

Trying to persuade her to stay.

"You can join us for dinner."

But—

No matter how many times he insisted—

Makino Akiko refused.

As if she had urgent business elsewhere,

She quickly excused herself and left the house.

Watching her disappear,

Shouji Minami sighed lightly.

Without hesitation,

Shouji Minami pulled out a chair and sat down.

Then—

Turning to Yuna—

He spoke in a calm, casual tone.

"Yuna, tea."

"Yes, d-father."

The same girl who had just boldly extorted money moments ago—

Now lowered her head obediently,

Acting as docile as a rabbit.

Her usual cold, indifferent expression—

Had been replaced with a hint of nervousness.

In mere moments,

She had neatly prepared the tea,

And placed it in front of him.

Then—

She quietly sat down across from him,

Back perfectly straight.

Interrogation Begins

As Shouji Minami sipped his tea,

He felt satisfied.

"Even now, as an old man, I can still intimidate my daughter."

But once he had finished drinking,

He raised his gaze—

Looking straight at her.

And in a calm tone,

He finally asked—

"What were you and Akiko talking about just now?"

His tone was light.

But Yuna—

Immediately panicked.

Her body stiffened.

Her eyes flickered with unease.

"Did he hear everything…?"

She couldn't tell.

His expression gave nothing away.

But eventually—

She realized that there was no escape.

And so—

She confessed.

"I… was asking Akiko to lend me money."

Her voice was small.

Like a prisoner awaiting execution.

Shouji Minami repeated her words—

"You asked Akiko to lend you money?"

"Y-Yes. I don't know why… but whenever I ask my bandmates for money, they always lend it to me."

"..."

Shouji Minami set his teacup down.

"My daughter..."

"Really takes after me."

For a moment—

He actually felt proud.

Then—

Shame.

"No, wait, this is bad!"

"How can she just casually ask friends for money?!"

This had to be corrected immediately.

Otherwise—

She was going to end up like…

Someone who lived off other people.

And so—

Minami leaned forward and asked—

"Are your monthly allowances too low?"

Yuna froze.

"Uh… um… actually…"

"Father, I have a reason for this."

And with that—

She took a deep breath—

And began to explain.

Yuna Shouji could tell that her father wasn't going to drop the issue easily.

She hesitated for a while—

Before finally deciding to come clean.

It turned out that—

Although Akiko Makino had a personality similar to Hitori Gotoh,

She wasn't as lucky as Bocchi,

Who had found a group of friends who truly cared about her.

In reality,

Akiko had always been bullied at school by a group of girls her age.

These girls regularly extorted her,

Forcing her to hand over money.

And as Akiko's friend,

Yuna absolutely despised this kind of behavior.

So, she decided to step in.

Before those bullies could take Akiko's money,

Yuna took it first—

And personally told them that if they wanted it back,

They would have to go through her.

Once Akiko was no longer a target,

She would return the money to her.

Everything—

From the so-called "friendship fees" to the "loans"—

Was actually a cover.

It was all just Yuna's way of protecting Akiko.

"After all," Yuna said matter-of-factly,

"if I didn't take it first, those girls would've stolen it from her anyway."

Minami: "..."

So that's how it was…

Shouji Minami glanced at his daughter.

He hadn't expected her to have such a kind and protective nature.

He supposed—

She must have inherited that from him.

"Not bad."

"Not bad at all."

Feeling satisfied,

Minami nodded and said—

"If that's the case, then I won't question it any further."

"But Yuna— if you ever run into any trouble, you can always talk to me or your mother, okay?"

"Mm. I understand. Thank you, Father."

For the first time,

Yuna's usually unreadable expression showed a subtle hint of relief.

Just as she completely let her guard down,

And reached for a cup of tea to relax—

"Since Akiko's situation is settled…"

"Then what about what you said earlier—"

'I don't know why, but whenever I ask for money, my bandmates always lend it to me'?"

Minami smiled knowingly,

As he gazed at his daughter.

"From the way you said that…"

"It sounds like you've been borrowing money from your other bandmates, too?"

Yuna Shouji: "..."

Akiko's matter could be put aside for now.

But the band had more members than just Akiko.

Yuna swallowed nervously.

Slowly,

She placed her tea cup back on the table.

"Um… Father."

"Yes?"

"Mother told me…"

"That if I ever ran out of money…"

"I should just borrow from the people I trust most."

Shouji Minami: "..."

Hearing his high school daughter say this—

His mind immediately flashed back

To Ryo Shouji telling him earlier that day:

"You really need to educate our daughter properly."

Minami pinched the bridge of his nose.

Ryo.

Sometimes…

Before you try to teach a child, maybe you should educate yourself first.