222 Making Appointments Really Is a Good Habit
The Hojou family didn't just travel to Tokyo to attend Kyousuke's junior high graduation ceremony they also came to celebrate his purchase of a new home.
Their arrival didn't just fill his newly renovated house with warmth and energy, it also filled the giant luxury refrigerator in the kitchen.
A third of a premium Shirou Wagyu cow and half an Ezo deer had been delivered.
And after seeing a photo of the courtyard, Hojou Yusuke, the family patriarch, even hauled a whole Hokkaido poplar tree with him from Otaru to Tokyo.
"How about that? It'll grow into a fine tree by next year. I picked it carefully—just like you, Kyousuke. It's top quality!"
Refusing help from his grandson, Yusuke rolled up his sleeves and planted the young poplar tree himself.
Whether it was the excitement of being in Tokyo or moving into such a high-end neighborhood, the wild, lion-like hair he usually sported was now slicked back with pomade into a neat style.
With his silver hair, white shirt, and black slacks, he looked incredibly sharp.
It finally made sense where Kyousuke got his good looks from.
"Still, isn't it kind of over-the-top to carry a whole tree by plane from Hokkaido? You could've just shipped it," Kyousuke said with a wry smile.
Yusuke turned and gave his grandson a glance.
"Didn't you do the same thing with that maple tree? Hauled it all the way back yourself on the Shinkansen?"
The day they arrived in Tokyo, they saw Kyousuke carrying a tree home.
He had carefully planted it by himself, with such gentle precision one would think he was handling a newborn calf.
"That was… different," Kyousuke muttered.
"How's it different? A tree's a tree."
Well… fair enough. This tree was just another way his grandfather was showing his love.
When Sakura heard Kyousuke's family was in town, she rushed over from Suimon City the very same day.
Naturally, she brought Shouko and Naoka along too.
Just like when they helped furnish his old apartment, Hojou Mikiko took the three girls on a shopping spree from sofas to bedding, they bought everything in bulk.
The store handled the delivery, but from the early morning on, there had been a constant stream of small delivery trucks pulling up outside the house.
Everyone except Kyousuke was busy setting up furniture, swapping out linens, and decorating.
As for Kyousuke, he was tasked with babysitting his little sister, Hojou Kasuko.
Kasuko, born on May 1st, was now a year and ten months old just two months shy of her second birthday.
With the Hojou family's enviable genes, she was adorably doll-like and already showing signs of impressive intelligence.
Most kids her age were just mimicking adults and learning basic speech. But Kasuko? She was already concerned about wildlife conservation.
"Kyousuke, can we build a bathroom over there?"
A bathroom?
Kyousuke, sitting at the edge of the tatami room with his bare feet on the grass, blinked in confusion.
Kasuko stood at the crossing path in the yard, dressed in blue overalls and a red t-shirt, pointing at a tall pine tree by the fence.
Her soft little voice was like a kitten's meow, sweet enough to melt anyone's heart.
"Why do you want to build a bathroom there, Kasuko?" he asked curiously.
In a tree?
Was she thinking of building a toilet for the treehouse he and Sakura dreamed of? How did she even know about that?
"So the birds can go to the bathroom there," she explained seriously.
"Birds have wings, Kasuko. Everywhere is their bathroom," he said, amused.
Watching her two little pigtails bounce as she stood with her back to him, Kyousuke felt a strange sense of awe.
Only children could come up with ideas like this.
Maybe she'd grow up to be a novelist or a manga artist.
"But that's the problem," Kasuko replied, her sweet voice laced with a surprising seriousness.
Was it just his imagination, or did she just… sigh?
Kyousuke, who had always seen kids as chaotic little whirlwinds, now found himself utterly intrigued.
'The problem?' Who taught her to say things like that? She wasn't even two yet and was already making earnest declarations?
'My airhead mom? No way.'
More likely it was his dad, who had upgraded from doting husband to doting husband and father.
That serious tone? Definitely something from a lawyer.
"You see," she continued, "bird poop has seeds in it. It helps spread plants to different places."
"When birds go to the bathroom, the seeds can grow into big trees. They're helping plants make babies."
Kyousuke stood up, walking barefoot over to Kasuko. He gently patted her head, trying to put things in words she'd understand.
"But sweetie, your face can't grow a tree."
Her adorable voice trembled as if she were on the verge of tears.
Kasuko, who had been frozen like a statue in their little game of Red Light, Green Light, finally turned to face her brother.
Right in the middle of her chubby, rosy-cheeked face was a big splatter of bird poop… and a very visible seed stuck in it.
'Pfft—'
Kyousuke couldn't hold it in anymore.
He quickly turned his upper body to hide his laughter from his sister.
"Oh no, what happened, little Kasuko?"
Before he could fully compose himself, a familiar soft voice called from behind—it was Shouko, as calm and kind as ever.
Wearing a light pink tracksuit, she hurried over with genuine concern all over her face—a complete contrast to Kyousuke's barely-contained amusement.
After quickly slipping into a pair of outdoor sandals, she knelt beside Kasuko.
"Shouko, the bird planted the seed in the wrong spot," Kasuko explained seriously as Shouko reached for her handkerchief.
Shouko paused, then turned to give Kyousuke a mildly scolding look as he continued stifling his laughter.
"Well then, let's help the bird finish its planting job."
Gently, Shouko picked up the seed with her fingers and wiped Kasuko's face with the handkerchief.
Then she stood and took Kasuko by the hand, leading her to the flowerbed in the garden.
Using a little shovel, they dug a small hole and planted the seed. All the while, Shouko softly explained each step and why it was important.
"Shouko, is that all?" Kasuko asked when they were done.
"Yep! Next time you come, there'll be something new growing here," Shouko replied.
"A tree?"
"Hmm... maybe grapes or something like that," Shouko said thoughtfully.
"Can we eat them tomorrow?" Kasuko asked eagerly.
"Tomorrow might be a little soon," Shouko giggled.
As she patiently answered the toddler's endless questions, she turned to Kyousuke and Sakura with a warm smile, then took Kasuko inside to wash her face and hands.
"Shouko would really make a wonderful mother," Sakura said, watching her patiently bent over, gently smiling as she answered Kasuko's endless stream of questions.
"Yeah, she really would," Kyousuke agreed.
If it had been him, he'd probably tell his little sister, "That bird was mean. Next time we see it, let's catch it and roast it."
He could never create the kind of sweet memory that Shouko just gave Kasuko with such tenderness.
Despite being raised under Nishimiya-san's harsh and extreme parenting, Shouko managed to keep a gentle heart.
Sakura found her strength admirable, like a reed swaying in the wind: fragile in appearance, yet never breaking.
She could somewhat understand where Nishimiya-san was coming from.
Forced into a divorce while pregnant with Yuzuru and left to raise two children on her own, it wasn't hard to see why she became so extreme.
But still, it must have been hard on Shouko.
Thankfully, with Kyousuke's support, Shouko's life had finally started to move in a better direction.
Standing before the newly planted maple tree in the yard, Sakura reached out and gently brushed its leaves.
She glanced back toward the house.
Inside, Naoka was blushing furiously as Aunt Mikiko teased her relentlessly.
Completely flustered, she kept her head down, busily sewing a sofa cover in her hands.
Luckily, Shouko, freshly changed and done with her chores, came to her rescue.
In the center of the living room, Kasuko waved her arms excitedly, animatedly recounting her recent adventure to her mother.
Watching the scene, a warm and lively atmosphere filling the house, Sakura let out a soft sigh.
Just as she couldn't imagine a life without Kyousuke, she couldn't picture what Shouko or even Naoka would become without him.
Especially Shouko.
She had grown stronger, yes—but only because Kyousuke was by her side.
And truthfully, wasn't the same true for her?
And for Kyousuke…
His heart was probably like a puzzle made of many delicate pieces.
If even one piece went missing, he wouldn't be whole anymore.
"We made it," Sakura whispered, delighted to spot a fresh bud on the maple tree.
"Yeah," Kyousuke smiled, "Maybe it really likes its new home."
"Mhm! I'm sure that's it!" Sakura nodded enthusiastically.
That evening, Sakura and the others returned to Suimon City.
Had they not promised to come back soon, Kasuko might've cried herself to sleep.
———————————————————————
The next morning, their visitor was Okudera Miki.
She hadn't originally planned to come in person just wanted Kyousuke to take the coffee machine she bought as a gift but he eventually convinced her with, "My mom and grandma have been dying to meet the girl who accepted their recipe book."
Since this was a proper visit, everything was planned in advance.
A little after ten, Kyousuke stood at the front gate, waiting.
Usually fashionable no matter what she wore, Okudera Miki had gone the extra mile today, her hairstyle and clothes lively and bright.
She'd spent the whole morning getting ready.
"Good morning, Kyousuke," she greeted him with a soft but slightly nervous voice.
She couldn't help wondering: what would his family think of someone her age?
"Welcome, welcome!" Kyousuke beamed and, without hesitation, led the tall, beautiful, slightly tense woman inside.
Even though she'd been managing her own store for years now, this was still Miki's first time doing something as nerve-wracking as meeting a boyfriend's family.
Her legs felt heavier with every step.
"It's fine, really. My family's easygoing. My grandma especially she's been curious to see how the girl who accepted her recipe is doing with it."
That was actually why they scheduled the visit at this time.
Since his family was rarely in town, Kyousuke wanted them to meet all the important people in his Tokyo life.
To show them the world he lived in now, and hopefully ease their worries.
"Are you sure I should be cooking lunch?" asked Miki, who normally loved cooking—but was feeling oddly anxious now.
"Of course. My grandma's the only one in the house who knows how to cook, and she'll be thrilled to have you help."
Seeing this uncharacteristically shy side of Miki, Kyousuke chuckled and took her hand as he opened the door.
"Pardon the intrusion." As soon as the door opened, four people looked her way. Miki quickly bowed in greeting.
As she did, she noticed a small girl almost blending into the cabinet at the entrance—Kyousuke's little sister, Kasuko, no doubt.
Miki smiled warmly and greeted her too.
"Welcome, welcome," said Hojou Mikiko, approaching with a friendly smile.
"This is for you," Miki said, handing over the box she had brought.
This was something she insisted on doing herself, never once asking Kyousuke to carry it.
"Oh! A coffee machine—perfect, we don't have one yet! Thank you so much," Mikiko said cheerfully, completely at ease.
"I'm glad you like it."
Seeing how casual and friendly Kyousuke's mom was, Miki felt a bit of the tension melt away.
"Come in, come in no need to stand around chatting at the door," Kyousuke said, offering her the slippers he had prepared.
To the right of the entrance was a tall, rectangular window facing the garden pond.
It looked like a painting hanging on the wall, but one that moved and shimmered with life.
Kyousuke himself had gotten lost in thought there many times while changing shoes, mesmerized by the swimming fish.
"Hi, big sis!" Once they'd settled in the living room, Kasuko came running up and greeted Miki with a clear, cheerful voice.
"Aww, you're adorable. Hi, Kasuko—this is for you," Miki replied, pulling a small, beautifully wrapped gift from her handbag.
After introductions, Kyousuke was pulled into the garden for a private chat with his father, leaving Miki in the living room with his mother and grandmother.
———————————————————————
"Kyousuke… your old man's now feeling his old age," Ichirou said with a sigh, wrapping an arm around his son, now the same height as him.
He had completely quit smoking.
But now, thinking about the three girls who visited yesterday and watching Miki laugh comfortably in the living room with his wife, he suddenly wanted a cigarette.
The frown that hadn't touched his brow in years since leaving his law career now returned with three deep creases.
"What's with the heavy sighs, old man? I thought you were taking mom on a world cruise?"
Kyousuke tilted his head and glanced toward the living room.
Just then, Miki looked over and caught his eye. He quickly raised a fist and made a little cheering gesture.
"Have you thought about what comes next?" Ichirou asked, clearly not believing that his sharp son hadn't picked up on the meaning behind his words.
"Actually, this afternoon, the daughter of a British diplomat is visiting," Kyousuke answered, dodging the question entirely.
"And tomorrow?"
"A bestselling novelist."
"That's it?"
Kyousuke thought for a moment. "Yeah, I think that's it."
"Kyousuke… Uncle Yagi asked me to give you a message. His workshop doors will always be open to you."
With a deep sigh, Ichirou left him with those final words.
If he could, he'd whisk his wife and daughter back to Hokkaido right this second.
He'd wanted to share some wisdom and life experience with his son but seeing how Kyousuke remained cool and unbothered, he could only give up.
He had only experienced one romantic relationship in his life, and it seemed like he really didn't have much to share in terms of relationship advice.
He finally understood why his friend, Ichimasa Yagi, would say such strange things.
Just look at the type of girls this kid was getting involved with. Most people would be thankful to even have one girl interested in them, but him?
If he weren't his son, he'd definitely give him a stern lecture about this.
"How's the Yagi-san health?" Kyousuke asked.
Ichimasa Yagi had heard about his new house and had even sent over a set of tea cups he'd made himself.
The cups were a deep blue with faint black veins running across them beautiful, and each cup had its own unique charm, unlike any of the ones Kyousuke had made himself.
"He's healthy enough to still climb Tengu Mountain in the winter," came the reply.
In the living room, Miki Okudera was no longer nervous.
Kyousuke's words had proven true his mother was incredibly easy-going.
After hearing her age, she had actually clapped her hands and said that older women were better because they were more considerate and knew how to care for others.
She even thanked her for looking after Kyousuke at the Garden of Words.
Miki's face turned red from embarrassment, but inside, she was secretly pleased.
The lunch was warm and joyful, and Kyousuke's grandmother looked at her with eyes so full of affection, they were almost overflowing.
By the afternoon, Eriri finally arrived, but Kyousuke had a feeling that this wasn't Eriri herself but rather a high-tech robot impersonating her.
She spoke without a trace of her usual tsundere attitude, and her movements were stiff and unnatural.
"Kyousuke, what are you looking for?" Eriri asked, standing at the gate.
She had already made a complete circle around Kyousuke, her little face tightly wound in concern.
"I'm looking for the robot's off switch," Kyousuke teased.
"Idiot! You're the robot!" Eriri huffed, clenching her little fists. "You're such an idiot, always thinking nonsense even on such an important day. Focus and be serious!"
Eriri was wearing a magnificent princess dress, and she didn't care at all that her hairstyle might get ruined.
She immediately raised her tiny fist and made a futile attempt at hitting him.
"But didn't you ask me to stand here and wait with you? I told you to hurry inside earlier," Kyousuke replied, enjoying the massage.
"Huh? Why do you think I'm standing here like a fool?" Eriri snapped, her little fists still raised in frustration.
'…So, isn't this the question I've been asking?'
Realizing her slip-up, Eriri was about to speak when the sound of a truck engine reached their ears from the main road outside the residential area.
"Ah, it's finally here." Eriri called out softly, grabbing Kyousuke's hand and pulling him toward the truck.
"What's this?"
"A gift!" Eriri lifted her chin proudly.
"A gift?"
"Mm!"
A gift that needed to be transported by a truck?
Kyousuke blinked in surprise as two people climbed out of the truck's cab and began unloading the cargo.
As the two truck doors swung open, a gleaming red sports car appeared before Kyousuke's eyes.
The car wasn't just shiny—it sparkled.
The smooth body of the vehicle, coated in high-end lacquer, dazzled under the sunlight, reflecting a brilliance that was impossible to look at directly.
It was the glow of wealth.
"Well, what do you think? Isn't it awesome?" Eriri asked smugly, not at all worried that the gift might not be to his taste.
"It's amazing." Even though Kyousuke didn't know much about cars, he could still feel the timeless sense of style radiating from this clearly classic supercar from the last century.
"Heh, I knew you'd like it. My dad said you'd love it," Eriri beamed with satisfaction.
"But Eriri, you do know I don't have a driver's license, right?"
"It's a collector's item, not something to drive around."
Eriri, the diplomat's daughter, said this matter-of-factly.
She knew very well that this car didn't suit Kyousuke's personality, but she also knew how empty the garage would look without something impressive to fill it.
When she visited after the house was decorated, she immediately noted the lack of a worthy vehicle and kept it in mind.
She'd been racking her brain about how to return the money Kyousuke had given her and, after consulting her father, decided this "Eastern War God" of a car, the Acura NSX, was the perfect gift.
It was almost impossible to find one in such pristine condition without connections, and her father's friends had made it happen.
"Well, it certainly is a great addition to any collection." Kyousuke, now far from being poor, was still stunned by the sheer opulence of the gift.
"Hmph, that's nothing. When you turn 18, I'll get you an even better one!" Eriri said proudly, raising her little head with a gleam in her voice.
The deliveryman set up a ramp and carefully drove the car down. The moment the engine roared to life, the sound was deafening.
"This roar—it's still so captivating."
The first-generation Acura NSX, equipped with a 280-horsepower 3.0L V6 engine, was the first model to use an all-aluminum monocoque body construction, making it 40% lighter than similar steel-bodied cars.
The iconic retractable "pop-up headlights" design—it was pure automotive history.
Kyousuke had been worried that the delivery guy might drive the car off-track, but then he heard the sound of someone reciting something behind him, almost like a chant, filled with reverence and fervor.
If this were a monk, he'd be the head of a temple, at least.
But unfortunately, the monk wasn't a monk—it was his father.
"Dad, what are you doing out here?" Kyousuke called.
"How could I sit still after hearing that sound?!" Kyousuke Ichirou, wearing nothing but indoor slippers, rushed out in excitement.
Eriri, who was about to compliment him on his taste, froze when she heard Kyousuke's words.
She immediately switched to robot mode, her stiff head slowly turning, then hiding behind Kyousuke to peek out cautiously.
"Kyo… Kyo… Kyo… Kyousuke."
Eriri, who usually only stammered shyly, was now completely flustered.
Looking at her flushed face and teary eyes, Kyousuke couldn't help but wonder if she was about to pass out at any moment.
"Don't worry, as soon as my dad saw the car, his brain completely shut down." He chuckled quietly, giving Eriri's little hand a gentle squeeze as he turned his head slightly.
He knew his father's obsession with cars all too well.
Whether it was their home in Suimon City or the one in Hokkaido, car magazines were scattered everywhere.
Even in their new home, after only a few days, there were already at least ten of them.
Cars like the "NSX," "GTR," and "S2000" were always on his father's lips.
He vaguely remembered his mother suggesting that his father buy one, but his father had given it up, thinking about the comfort of driving.
After all, he was the only one in the family who could drive, and buying two cars would be too much of a burden.
"Dad, this is Sawamura Spencer Eriri, my good friend. And this is my father, Hojou Ichirou."
"Uncle, uncle, good." Eriri, ever clever, quickly found a way to handle her nervousness.
Stammering was probably better than embarrassing herself.
"Ah, hello, hello, thank you for taking care of this good-for-nothing son of mine." Hojou Ichirou greeted with a warm smile.
"He's not good-for-nothing!" The small burst of irritation made Eriri forget her nervousness for a moment.
If not for the follow-up "Thank you for taking care of him," she might've pouted in frustration.
"It's nothing, Kyousuke's been taking care of me."
The shiny Acura NSX finally made its way safely to the ground, with the delivery man walking over with a receipt for signing.
"Now we need to check everything carefully."
Just as Eriri was about to sign, Hojou Ichirou suddenly spoke in a serious tone.
"Check? Check what? It seems fine to me." Eriri froze for a second, unsure of what was going on.
"My dad wants to check the car, just ignore him," Kyousuke said with a slight bow, leaning over to whisper into Eriri's ear, translating for his father.
"Oh, oh." Eriri, already comfortable with the ease of interacting with someone who understood her thoughts perfectly, immediately understood.
After a bit of commotion, Hojou Ichirou finally parked the car in the garage, which was spacious enough that even three or four vans wouldn't make it feel crowded.
Once inside the living room, Eriri was immediately swept up in a hug by Mikiko, who didn't want to let go.
Thanks to her, Eriri was finally able to speak normally.
As a naturally social and well-mannered young lady, she quickly turned into someone very different in this setting...
Well, a normal person. The tsundere façade was completely gone, replaced by the shy, introverted, well-behaved high school girl.
Kyousuke's fulfilling and pleasant day passed just like that.
That night, lying in bed, Hojou Ichirou softly spoke, "Mikiko, Kyousuke is going to get into trouble sooner or later."
"I don't know what kind of person that Kasumigaoka Utaha girl is, but Eriri today didn't seem like a noble lady at all, she's just so cute," Mikiko said, her voice slightly louder since Kasuko was asleep next to them.
"Her manners are impeccable, and the gift was lovely, but it's just a bit much."
"I've read her books, too. No wonder they're bestsellers; they really tug at the heartstrings."
"..." Hojou Ichirou.
His son, the rascal.
Did you figure out that people like to make plans in advance? Aren't you worried they'll all show up at once?
The next day, dressed in white casual clothes and looking incredibly elegant, Kasumigaoka Utaha came to visit, bringing a gift an exquisite set of desert rose coffee cups.
It was a brand Kyousuke didn't recognize, but she immediately brewed a pot of coffee for everyone.
Now completely relaxed, Hojou Ichirou, with his wife beside him, cheerfully greeted the polite and equally accomplished Kasumigaoka Utaha, spending the whole morning chatting with her.
"Shouldn't this be the end of it?" The old man asked, casting a side glance at his son.
"No, there's more this afternoon."
???
"Don't worry, this afternoon will be my friends seniors and classmates from school." Kyousuke quickly clarified, as Kisaki Tetta, Hata Goro, and Makki Hojou, among others, were scheduled to visit in the afternoon.
The next morning, while Kyousuke was dealing with some business at the publisher's office, he received a call from the dojo in Suimon City, from a familiar voice—Yamamura Oko, who said he would be bringing some friends over in the afternoon.
A long-lost acquaintance wanting to visit, Kyousuke quickly gave him the new address.
Meanwhile, Yamamura Oko, after finishing the call, looked at the girl next to him.
"Is this alright?"
"Mm, thank you for the trouble, Yamamura Oko-san." Miyamizu Mitsuha, sitting in a kneeling posture, placed her hands on her knees and slightly bowed in gratitude.
"It's nothing. I'm just curious as to why Hojou gave you that bamboo sword. You know, he used to carry it around everywhere." Yamamura Oko remarked.
"Yeah, why?" Mitsuha lowered her head, gripping the bamboo sword, still warm from someone's presence, and muttered softly.
Her classmate had suddenly given her a bamboo sword, saying it was a request from someone.
When she asked who the requester was, she wouldn't answer, only saying that if Mitsuha could tell her who to find in Tokyo, she would reveal the name of the person who had asked.
Mitsuha, being the cautious type, would normally never accept such an unknown gift, nor be swayed by vague words.
However, the moment she held the bamboo sword, the familiar warmth made her retract her refusal.
"That person is in Tokyo," her friend said.
"Tokyo…"
Again, Tokyo. The one person she had to meet, the most important person to her was waiting for her in Tokyo!
After successfully passing the exam her grandparents had hoped for, she said goodbye to her grandmother and brought her younger sister to Tokyo to reunite with her father.
After some inquiries and following the engraving on the bamboo sword, she found the Hokushin Ittoryu dojo in Yaesu, Chiyoda District, Tokyo—the home dojo of the great Yamamura Oko.
Because the bamboo sword was made from special materials and techniques, each one was unique and precious, with corresponding markings.
Making it easy to trace back to the original owner, who turned out to be Yamamura Oko himself, who had set up his own dojo in Suimon City.
Miyamizu Mitsuha briefly demonstrated her sword skills, and the dojo members immediately recognized her as the true heir of the Hokushin Ittoryu style.
Due to her remarkable swordsmanship, they even asked her if she wanted to register at their dojo and study further.
Unfortunately, Mitsuha didn't know where her swordsmanship came from and could only shake her head, saying she would wait until she found a master.
That same day, she made her way to Suimon City, found Yamamura Oko, and heard the name that made her soul tremble.
Hojou Kyousuke.