Chapter 131: Where Lies My Own Happiness

"Let's say I officially declare myself your father. Then it's not just your family business—it's ours."

As Takamine Rinji said this, he completely ignored the increasingly ashen look on Shinomiya Gan'an's face and continued speaking leisurely.

"Sure, I never raised you, and your mom and I never did anything. Honestly, having a bastard like you as a son is pretty embarrassing, but but it doesn't matter. I, Takamine Rinji, don't mind being anyone's surprise dad."

The Shinomiya family's rise was thanks to their powerful backer. In Japan, they held enormous influence, and people spoke to Gan'an with the utmost respect.

But Rinji? Not only did he insult him, he insulted his bloodline to his face. This was a first.

Ignoring Gan'an's expression entirely, Rinji turned to his sons.

"Hey, now that I'm your grandpa, how about showing some respect? Get on your knees and bow to Grandpa."

"What!?"

"Uh..."

"Cut the crap. Are you kneeling or not? If you don't give me a proper kowtow, I'll smash your kneecaps."

"..."

These two sons of Gan'an were grown men, married, and accustomed to wielding the Shinomiya name like a weapon. For them to bow to some punk? Unthinkable.

But Rinji... was terrifying.

"That's enough, Takamine Rinji!"

Gan'an roared.

"If this is just about getting Kaguya to attend the fireworks festival, then I agree."

"Shinomiya Gan'an, how dare you call your dad by name? Call me 'Father.' Got it?"

"..."

At this point, it seemed Rinji had completely forgotten why he came here.

Gan'an's face was nearly black. Even the Prime Minister had to treat him with courtesy, but Rinji? He not only insulted him—he was humiliating him. Even if Rinji had powerful backing—even if he was IW—this was too far.

"Takamine Rinji! Don't go too far! I'll have you know, even IW wouldn't dare—"

Smack!

Before he could finish, Rinji slapped him.

The slap knocked out one of his teeth.

Before Gan'an could react, Rinji grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head into the table.

Bang!!

Blood poured from Gan'an's nose and mouth as his face was pressed into the wood.

"Listen up, Shinomiya Gan'an. Destroying the Shinomiya family is child's play. The only reason you scum are still bouncing around in front of me is because Uncle Sagara told me not to touch the economic core of Japan for now. Not because I'm scared of you. Do! You! Understand!?"

With each word, Rinji slammed his head against the table again.

By the time he lifted Gan'an's head, his entire face was blood-red.

Dragging the old man close, Rinji leaned in with a crazed grin.

"Do what I say, and maybe I'll let you live. Even Uncle Sagara couldn't stop me if I really wanted your family dead. So take my advice—don't be a dumbass."

Thud!

He flung the unconscious Gan'an aside, then turned to the two terrified sons.

"Almost forgot what I came for. You two, make a call."

"Y-yes, sir!"

One of them hurriedly took out his phone and dialed Kaguya's residence.

While they were on the call, Rinji casually grabbed a couple tissues and wiped the blood from his hands.

"Mr. Takamine, she's been informed."

"Thanks."

After checking his phone and offering a casual thank-you, Rinji turned and walked out of the room.

Once he left, the two sons collapsed to the floor in relief.

Compared to the last time, Rinji had shown restraint. No deaths, just a few serious injuries needing emergency treatment.

...

At the train station, Takamine Rinji took out his phone and called Miyuki Shirogane.

"Hello? Rinji? Today—"

"I'm not coming. I already mentioned it on LINE." Rinji chuckled. "Has the Shinomiya princess arrived yet?"

"Her? Not yet... Oh—there she is."

At the Tokyo festival, Shirogane spotted Shinomiya Kaguya in a yukata.

"Then get on with the plan, Mr. President. Good luck."

"Wait!"

Just as Rinji was about to hang up, Shirogane shouted.

"What is it?"

"Rinji… You stayed away just to make sure Kaguya came to the fireworks, didn't you?"

"...Yeah."

"You... can you please care about your own happiness for once? You're always doing things for others—"

"Don't misunderstand, President." Rinji chuckled. "This was my own choice. You should respect that."

"..."

"So don't feel guilty. You haven't wronged anyone."

"…You really are… a reassuring bastard." Shirogane let out a bitter laugh.

"Thanks. That's a fair assessment."

After hanging up, Takamine Rinji entered the station.

He looked up at the schedule board, lost in thought.

Shirogane Miyuki and Shinomiya Kaguya—those two would probably live happily ever after someday. And Takamine Rinji had acted to ensure someone else's happiness.

But...

Where was his own happiness?

"I really wish I could've gone to the fireworks festival with everyone."

Rinji no longer wore the crazed grin he had back at the Shinomiya estate. His expression now was soft, even gentle.

"I really wanted to attend events like this with the student council..."

After buying his ticket, he quietly waited in the subway station.

"To act for the sake of someone else's happiness... Dad, maybe I really am walking a different path than you now."

---

The fireworks festival had officially begun.

The student council members were gathered together, watching the dazzling bursts in the sky from an open-air venue.

Kaguya stared blankly at the fireworks above, her mind completely taken by the dazzling night sky.

Not watching from a mansion window—but standing close, in person, at the festival.

Beside her were fellow student council members, her friends. And closest of all was Shirogane Miyuki.

'Today… might be the happiest day of my life,' Kaguya thought, her cheeks flushed.

At this moment, she was truly happy.

Buzz—

Her phone buzzed inside her yukata. She took it out and saw a message from Ai Hayasaka.

[Miss Kaguya, it's fine if you come home a little late today. The house steward from the main family has approved it. Make the most of this time with the president—love hotel is totally acceptable.]

"Eeehhhhh!?"

Kaguya's face turned bright red as she frantically replied.

[No way! A love hotel is absolutely impossible!]

[Even if it's impossible, just come home a bit later.]

[Why?]

[Because I have to go out for something tonight. I might not be home until very late.]

[Got it. No worries, I brought my keys.]

Tucking her phone back into her yukata, Kaguya resumed watching the fireworks, occasionally sneaking glances at Shirogane's profile.

Today... truly was a happy day.

---

"I really miscalculated. I should've gone to the Shinomiya estate a day earlier and smacked that old man around then. Now I ended up missing the fireworks."

Takamine Rinji gave a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

He exited the train station at 9 p.m.—thirty minutes after the festival had ended. By now, the student council members had probably gone home.

Just as he stepped out of the station, he stopped.

Standing under the dim glow of a streetlamp was a blond girl, cheeks slightly pink, holding a paper bag in her hands. It looked like she had been waiting there for quite a while.

"Hayasaka? What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you."

She lifted the paper bag. "Want to light some fireworks?"

Rinji blinked for a moment, then smiled softly.

"Yeah. Sounds good."