Chapter 105: Today’s Been Full of Strange People

"Sorry, President. Looks like I'm a bit late."

"No worries, no worries. I should be the one apologizing—we keep making you come cook for us every Saturday," said Shirogane Miyuki, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "Let me handle dinner tonight, just this once."

"Let's do it together."

Rinji smiled, set the bag down, and started taking out the groceries. Then he pulled out a popsicle.

"President's little sister, this is for you. Hope it hasn't melted."

"Thanks, Rinji-nii."

Shirogane Kei took the popsicle, unwrapped it, and began to lick it happily.

The weather had been heating up lately, and Shuchiin Academy had already switched to summer uniforms. Summer vacation was only about a month away.

"By the way, Rinji-nii, it feels a bit weird that you keep calling me 'President's little sister.' Just call me Kei."

"Alright, then."

Rinji carried the groceries to the stove and put on the apron hanging on the wall. The Shirogane family's apartment was tiny—kitchen and living room were basically one space, not even separated by a sliding door.

Shirogane Miyuki put on his own apron and joined him, beginning to prep ingredients.

"Rinji, aren't you spoiling Kei too much?"

"I don't see it that way. I just treat her like my own little sister." Rinji smiled. "I'm an only child. I've always wanted a sibling."

"That must've been lonely, right?"

"Not really. My parents had pretty relaxed jobs, so we went out a lot. Plus, some of my dad's old colleagues had kids, and we used to play together all the time. I never really felt lonely."

"Sounds like a good childhood."

"Yeah, and there were always pretty aunties visiting the house. They used to take me to really fancy places."

"…You mean those women who paid you to call them 'Mom'?"

"Yup."

"Your dad… sounds like quite the character."

"I never really understood it. He's always laughing like an idiot, but people are somehow afraid of him." Rinji shrugged.

"You always talk about your dad, but you never mention your mom," Miyuki asked curiously.

"My mom, huh… Let's just say she's basically a perfect woman. I rarely bring her up because there's nothing to complain about. Unlike my idiot dad who's clearly got a screw loose." Rinji chuckled. "I used to ask him all the time how someone like him managed to marry my mom, and he'd always put on a smug face and say, 'What can I say? Your old man's just lucky.'"

"…That's really enviable, honestly."

A faint smile appeared on Shirogane Miyuki's face.

His own mother had left when he was little. Though not divorced from their dad, she'd been missing for years now.

Because of that, Miyuki had to help carry the burden of the household from a young age.

He really envied complete families—the warmth and joy they seemed to have was more valuable than anything.

"Don't worry, President."

Rinji placed a hand on Miyuki's shoulder.

"Even if your mom is gone, you've got me. I'm your big bro now."

"Don't try to take advantage of me."

Miyuki laughed and punched Rinji lightly on the shoulder. Rinji just laughed heartily.

---

After dinner was ready, Shirogane papa came home from work.

Seeing the food already set on the table, he looked over at Rinji.

"You come cook for us every Saturday. We really appreciate it."

"It's no trouble."

Shirogane papa sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and looked at the dishes.

"Looks like you used some pricey ingredients again today."

The steak and cod on the table were clearly not cheap.

"Oh, today I went to the gym, and my coach told me to eat more high-protein food," Rinji replied. "Speaking of which, I ran into a street fight on my way back."

"Tokyo's been getting really dangerous lately."

Shirogane papa sighed.

"More and more punks on the street. Be careful, Rinji. Guys like you—slim and delicate—are the types they target."

Since Rinji had gotten close to the Shirogane family, Shirogane papa now spoke to him quite casually.

"I thought the same, so I got a full-year gym membership." Rinji said, "And that punk today actually tried to pick a fight with me after beating someone up."

"What?"

"Are you okay, Rinji-nii?"

Seeing their worried expressions, Rinji smiled and waved it off.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"Still… these guys are getting more and more reckless."

"So how did you get away?" Kei asked, curious.

"Oh, I slammed the guy into a wall."

"…Huh?"

"I never told you guys, but I'm actually really skilled." Rinji said. "Ordinary punks aren't a threat to me."

"Really…? Doesn't look like it."

Kei looked him up and down. With that slender frame and pretty face, if not for being a guy, he'd probably have to worry about being kidnapped on the street.

"That punk had some tricks, though. Looked kind of weird. I knocked him out once, but he got back up in seconds. His skin even turned red—like a roasted sweet potato. Then I slapped him into the wall again and he passed out."

Rinji spoke as he reminisced.

"Between guys whose muscles explode out of their clothes and weirdos who turn red, I sure ran into a lot of strange people today. Still, I'm kind of jealous of their muscles. I wish I had a body like that."

"Forget it, Rinji-nii."

Kei looked at him seriously.

"Muscles don't suit you at all."

"Why does everyone say that…"

"Anyway, things are dangerous out there," Shirogane papa said, glancing at the clock. It was already late.

"It's too risky to go home now. Why don't you stay the night?"

"Can I?"

"Of course," Miyuki said with a smile. "Final exams are coming up in less than a month. Let's review together tonight—I can help with anything you don't understand."

"Sounds good."