33: Biological Siblings

"Akira, with so many childhood friends, how do you plan to take care of them all in the future?"

"If you can't treat everyone equally, you're in for a tough time."

This veiled remark was Kujou Seiko's way of expressing her frustration at Akira giving such a huge advantage to the Nakiri family.

As soon as she said this, the gazes of many girls shifted toward Erina, their expressions tinged with resentment.

Not one to back down, Erina glared right back.

They were all childhood friends—why should she be afraid?

"Grandmother, I just thought that holding the Shokugeki at Totsuki Academy would be more convenient."

"More convenient than the Imperial Palace?"

"If you want, we can hold it there."

Kujou Seiko huffed, clearly still sulking.

"Next time, definitely."

"I promise, next time for sure."

Akira raised his hands in surrender, hoping to pacify her.

"Come with me. I'll introduce you to some of the noble families' elders and their heirs."

"You young ones should get to know each other."

She was in no mood to see her precious grandson spending any more time with the Nakiri family.

"Understood."

Seeing Akira obediently follow her, Kujou Seiko finally revealed a satisfied smile.

When she led him to the Suou family, Akira's black pupils suddenly constricted upon seeing Suou Yumi and her daughter, Suou Yuki.

His heart pounded wildly.

A deep, unexplainable sensation stirred within him.

At the same time, a strange feeling tugged at Suou Yuki's heart as well.

Their eyes met—Akira's gaze filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of fear.

Suou Yuki had never looked into someone's eyes and understood so much at once.

It was as if she had peered directly into his soul.

"Oh my! Yumi, don't you think these two standing together look just like a perfect couple?"

Kujou Seiko remarked, pulling the frail-looking Suou Yumi closer.

"Ignoring Akira's silver hair, he and Yuki look like a perfect match."

"They complement each other so well."

Her words were cut short when Suou Yuki suddenly burst into tears and threw herself into Akira's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Brother… is that you?"

"Suou-san, you must be mistaken."

"My surname is Sawamura, not Suou."

"You're lying. Your eyes already told me the truth."

"Words can deceive, but eyes never do."

"Only true siblings share this kind of connection."

"Brother, are you really Masachika?"

Suou Yumi, initially hesitant, burst into tears upon hearing her daughter's certainty.

She covered her mouth, overwhelmed with emotion, and wept alongside her.

"Madam, you must be mistaken."

Inwardly, Akira sighed in resignation but maintained a bitter smile, denying it outright.

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

This development was beyond shocking.

The adopted heir of the Sawamura family… was actually the long-lost son of the Suou family?

Everyone present had heard of the Suou family's prodigious child, presumed dead for years.

So, it was him all along?

Now, things made sense.

Geniuses like him didn't just appear out of nowhere.

"Brother, everyone knows you were adopted into the Sawamura family."

"I just need to ask Auntie Sawamura—where did she find you?"

"In London, England."

Sawamura Sayuri, equally curious about the truth, instinctively responded.

Mother, you're throwing me under the bus…

"Brother, do you still refuse to admit it?"

"Our father was a diplomat stationed in England, and you were with him in London."

"Not long after, we received word that he had died in a sudden car accident."

"And you… vanished."

"We sent people to search for you for years but never found a trace."

"Eventually, we had no choice but to give up."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

This was no mere coincidence.

Too many coincidences meant that the truth was inevitable.

"But I lost my childhood memories—I don't remember any of you."

"How do you expect me to admit to something I can't even recall?"

Akira still attempted to resist, forcing a bitter smile.

"Brother, technology is advanced now. We can do a DNA test immediately."

"Blood never lies."

With that, she left him no room to escape.

"No need. I admit it."

"I am indeed the lost child of the Suou family."

Akira raised his hands in surrender.

Gasps filled the hall.

This revelation was too dramatic.

Sawamura and Kujou's heir was actually the lost genius of the Suou family?

This was a major game-changer.

If Akira had been an ordinary person, it wouldn't have mattered much.

But he wasn't.

He was an unparalleled genius—a leader in the making.

Would the Suou family simply let him go?

Not a chance.

In matters of lineage, bonds were unbreakable.

"Brother, why didn't you come looking for us once you knew the truth?"

"We're your real family!"

Suou Yuki couldn't accept the cold, indifferent version of her once-loving older brother.

"Does it matter?"

"I lost my past."

"I have a new name, a new family, and a new life."

"People should move forward, not dwell in the past."

"I can never be the older brother you remember."

Akira sighed helplessly.

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