Chapter 325: Sports Festival Begins & The Mysterious Visitor

The sports festival finally began, drawing the full attention of students and staff.

Two days prior, both Rinji and Fujiwara were still struggling with Shirogane's inability to properly perform the Soran Bushi—and it led to some serious disagreements about teaching philosophy.

Rinji insisted on directly requesting the school administration to change the second-year performance, while Fujiwara planned to carefully teach Shirogane how to become better at dancing.

According to Rinji, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. No one can truly be good at everything. The skill of net dancing wouldn't help Shirogane in his future at all, so it would be better to use that limited time doing something meaningful.

Fujiwara, on the other hand, argued that even if someone wasn't good at something, as long as they worked hard to overcome it, there wouldn't be a problem. People shouldn't always take shortcuts in life.

In the end, it was Miyuki Shirogane who stopped the two from clashing over their conflicting "educational philosophies."

He chose to keep learning the Soran Bushi dance. After all, if the whole second-year performance had to be changed just because of him, it would weigh heavily on his conscience.

Since he had made up his mind, Fujiwara had no choice but to teach Shirogane alongside Rinji.

With their combined efforts, Shirogane completely mastered the Soran Bushi dance on the final day before the sports festival.

"This really wasn't easy."

Rinji sat in the bleachers of the sports field, watching the second-year students, including Shirogane, perform their dance below.

Shirogane, dressed in blue, danced with ease. After days of training, he had finally gotten the hang of it. He also signed up for three other sports events that he was good at.

There was nothing left that could embarrass him.

"Your dancing isn't bad, Miyuki."

"…!"

Shirogane's expression changed in an instant mid-dance. He felt like he'd heard a very familiar voice.

'No way, it can't be him. There's no way he'd come here, right?'

Then he heard Rinji's voice.

"Uncle, you're here?"

"Oh, Rinji, I came to check out your sports festival. Do your best in the competitions."

"Thanks."

'Dad's here!!!'

Shirogane was now sure his father really was in the audience. Since he was dancing, he couldn't turn his head to look, but the voice was unmistakable.

The person who could make him lose all dignity had arrived!

After the performance, Shirogane walked gloomily toward his father and Rinji.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"I'm just bored."

"…"

Shirogane's father was still doing part-time jobs without any stable work. Though the pay was low, the upside was that he had lots of free time.

Since he had nothing to do today, he came to watch the sports festival.

"Oh, is this the student council president?"

Just then, an elderly man wearing a trench coat walked out from behind Rinji.

He was about 190 cm tall. Though aged, he had an imposing presence that made Shirogane uneasy.

This was George Shechik, whom Rinji had invited.

"Hello, Shirogane Miyuki."

George greeted him in not-so-fluent Japanese and extended his hand.

"Hello." Shirogane shook his hand. "May I ask who you are, sir?"

"Oh right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm George, George Shechik," George smiled. "You could say… I'm Rinji's grandfather."

"Rinji's grandfather?"

Shirogane glanced at George in surprise.

This was probably his first time meeting one of Rinji's relatives, though he didn't know that the "grandfather" title was something George gave himself.

"I've heard Rinji mention you before. As expected, you're quite outstanding."

George gave a rare compliment, then turned to Shirogane's father.

"Looks like your family's education is also top-notch."

Shirogane's father waved his hand modestly. "Not at all, I didn't really teach them anything."

Shirogane: 'Yeah, that part is true.'

Then he suddenly noticed his father holding a video camera.

"Wait, are you filming me?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, you're finally doing something a father should."

Seeing his father show even the slightest concern touched Shirogane.

Until he saw the video camera footage—which was of Fujiwara dancing.

"You bastard!!!"

"Wait, it's a misunderstanding!"

Before his dad could explain, a middle-aged man in a suit ran over holding a monopod.

"I asked him to help film my daughter."

"Huh?"

The bleachers were already packed. Not only the students and faculty were there, but also many of the students' parents.

"You're Miyuki Shirogane, right? I've heard about you from my daughter," the middle-aged man greeted him with a smile.

"So you're Fujiwara's father. Hello, I'm Miyuki Shirogane, the student council president." Miyuki quickly bowed. "Kei has received a lot of your care too."

"Oh, the friend of Moeha? You siblings are very polite."

Chika Fujiwara's father was named Daichi Fujiwara, a politician in Tokyo.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Shirogane, he spotted Rinji and George, then immediately switched to English.

"Long time no see, Mr. Shechik."

"Hello, hello. How's that elder in your family doing?"

"Thanks for asking. He's still in good health."

Rinji looked at the two of them and asked, "Grandpa George, do you know the Fujiwara family?"

"Of course," Daichi Fujiwara replied with a smile. "Mr. Shechik is my grandfather's friend."

"I see."

Daichi Fujiwara's grandfather—Chika's great-grandfather—was a former Prime Minister of Japan.

"By the way…" George looked around. "Rinji, you said your girlfriend would be here too, right? Where is she?"

"Karura should be—"

"Rinji~"

Before he finished, a familiar voice called from behind.

A dark blur leaped onto Rinji. Karura clung to him like a koala.

"You made it, Karura?"

"Hehe, make sure to do your best today." Karura affectionately lay on Rinji's back.

"Of course."

---

"Didn't you say you'd come!?"

Behind one of the buildings near the sports field, Hayasaka, wearing a thin tracksuit, was on the phone, her voice filled with frustration and sadness.

"Don't make promises you can't keep!"

After a long pause, her tone turned dejected.

"Mom… you liar."

She hung up and slowly walked away.

She had already seen Karura hugging Rinji when she returned to the bleachers earlier. Perhaps out of bitterness and regret, she had left early to hide behind the building.

Her mood was already low, but she had held onto the hope that her mother would come to watch her. That thought had kept her going.

But the phone call just now crushed her final hope.

Her mother couldn't come because of work.

Hayasaka's spirits sank completely.

Kaguya's attention was on Shirogane. Rinji already had Karura. Her mother wasn't coming.

No one was there for her at this sports festival.

As she walked down the path, neither the passing students nor the parents around her registered in her mind.

Thud.

"Ah…"

She suddenly bumped into someone and staggered back, but a hand caught her just in time.

"Are you okay?"

"S-Sorry, I wasn't paying…"

Hayasaka started to apologize, but stopped when she saw the person's face.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her refined features and sapphire-like eyes, paired with golden hair draped over her shoulders, gave her an aura of nobility and grace even in a simple blouse and chiffon skirt.

Graceful as a phoenix, elegant as a dragon.

She was someone you wouldn't forget after just one glance.

"I-I'm sorry."

Hayasaka blushed and spoke softly.

"It's nothing, no need to apologize."

The woman glanced around at the many buildings of Shuchiin Academy and smiled at Hayasaka.

"Would you be kind enough to show me around the school?"

"Of course. Are you… a parent of a student here?"

"Yes, my son transferred here last semester. I received an invitation from him, so I came to take a look."