Chapter 477: Chapter 469: I Have High Hopes for You, Young Man
Shirakawa Sawahei ended the call with Tsukimi Sakurazawa and returned to the tea room.
"Family?"
"A friend from the club."
Hayakawa Shinsuke nodded and didn’t ask further. Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t intend to keep the conversation on Tsukimi, so he softly asked, "Grandfather, you just said that we shouldn’t mind what’s behind the choice and only focus on the choice itself..."
"Yes, only that way can you know what you truly want."
Shirakawa Sawahei had a strange look on his face, as an image of a red-hat, white-bearded old man popped into his mind...
No, I can’t, right? Saying something like this in front of his own grandfather, aren’t I courting death?
"I got it. I’ll carefully consider how to deal with it when I go back."
"Mr. Shirakawa, you don’t need to be too entangled. Sometimes, a lot of variables happen in the process of making a choice."
"Such as?"
"You might have the chance to have it all."
"Or you might have the chance... to get none."
Hayakawa Shinsuke looked at him meaningfully as he said this, making Shirakawa Sawahei feel a bit chilly behind...
This sounds like... just a thought could lead to heaven or hell, whether it’s Ito Sei or Itsuka Shido, all depends on his actions?
"Mr. Shirakawa, I personally admire your character. Honestly, after we first met, the uneasy feeling I had was finally settled."
"W-why..."
"Because my dear granddaughter’s judgment of people hasn’t been as bad as my daughter’s. At least she didn’t go for unreliable, glib, indolent guys like Asano Fūsei who have nothing reassuring about them!"
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
Well, let’s just assume Hayakawa Shinsuke is complimenting me...
In Hayakawa Shinsuke’s mind, everything about Shirakawa Sawahei, his character, appearance, personality, and his clean, pure background, were all capital to completely outshine Asano Fūsei. Perhaps Shinsuke has had grievances against Asano Fūsei for a long time, as he mentioned this, there seemed to be tears glistening in his eyes, leaving Shirakawa Sawahei utterly baffled.
I know I’m quite outstanding, but I never thought I was this outstanding... Asano Fūsei was once a Long Aotian after all... Is he really that inferior compared to me?
"Well... actually I and Xiari... and summer solstice classmate..."
Resolute Asano Fūsei detractor—Hayakawa Shinsuke waved his hand, casually saying, "You don’t need to explain too much about these matters to me. I’m just curious. The ones you really need to explain to are those two sisters."
"Ah?"
"Did you think I came to find you to question you or to make you take responsibility for Xiari?" Hayakawa Shinsuke sneered, "A rich man’s daughter can’t marry a poor boy? You are not from the same world? These old idol drama clichés bore me..."
"Then you are..."
"Curious." Hayakawa Shinsuke lightly tapped on the table with his knuckles, "I have to know what the guy who kissed my granddaughter and made her run back home to daydream looks like, right?"
The time when the little girl ran away... So she just went home to daydream?
Shirakawa Sawahei was slightly taken aback, and as the conversation reached here, Hayakawa Shinsuke suddenly said sadly, "Both of my granddaughters are clever kids, I trust their judgment of people. So I won’t give you a hard time... It’s just a pity my darling daughter... sigh..."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
Alright, now it’s clear, this so-called father-in-law of Asano Fūsei might seem to be chatting with him, but he’s actually venting his frustration by dissing Asano Fūsei...
From this angle, the little girl’s and the little arrogant’s grandfather is indeed quite adorable. Very laid-back. Just what did the middle-aged Long Aotian do to annoy him so much?
What kind of grudge is this... Is it worth holding onto until now as a father?
"By the way, Mr. Shirakawa, would you be interested in visiting our home someday, my wife would also love to meet you."
"Sure, I’d like to visit if I get the chance."
"There’s no time like the present, how about during the New Year visit? My wife was planning to take the family for a visit, if Mr. Shirakawa wants to go with your family, we could go together."
The former head of the Hayakawa family was swift and decisive in his actions, immediately setting the date and starting to ask for Shirakawa Sawahei’s opinion. Shirakawa Sawahei was a bit stunned and asked, "New Year visit?"
"Yes, it’s December now, you all should be about to start winter break."
Shirakawa Sawahei remembered Tachibana China’s request and ultimately didn’t dare show off his time management skills in front of an elder, declining politely, "During the New Year visit, I’ll be accompanying another elder, accepting your invitation on a whim might upset her."
"I see, it’s not good to visit twice during the New Year; let’s find another opportunity then." Hayakawa Shinsuke didn’t insist, smiling, "I hope you won’t refuse next time I invite you, Mr. Shirakawa."
"Alright, I’ll definitely find a chance to visit."
"Hmm... by the way... the small package of tea you brought is quite famous... Do you have more? I can buy it from you."
"That was a gift from an elder; I can’t resell it. If you like it, Grandfather, I can bring some more for you to taste."
"Good, then it’s decided. Next time you come over, remember to bring some tea..."
...
The gift from Tsukimi Yamadori was undoubtedly tempting for Hayakawa Shinsuke. This is perhaps the difference between a financial magnate and a long-standing temple owner. The former surely can afford it, but key items are often priceless.
The Tsukimi family’s influence isn’t to be underestimated either... If the Hayakawa family and the Tsukimi family were to clash, who would win, I wonder...
Shirakawa Sawahei shook his head, shaking off those random thoughts. After parting with Hayakawa Shinsuke, he made his way swiftly to the vicinity of the Maid Cafe where he worked.
Not far away were two cafes, the Minotaur Artist and the Yuri Minotaur Artist. Over time, both seemed to have accumulated a decent number of loyal customers, and business gradually stabilized. Through the window glass, he could see Aoki Yoosuke and Imamura Takuya, the two troublemaking otaku, busy hanging some small signs in the shop.
He didn’t disturb the tranquility of the Yuri Minotaur Artist cafe and turned to visit Hinata Rion’s shop, a familiar yet strange voice soon followed.
"Welcome... Eh? Mr. Shirakawa?"
Koyama Haruko and a maid girl serving as waitress both saw him, looking slightly surprised. Shirakawa Sawahei was a bit embarrassed on his part. Ever since he earned a sum with his piano playing, other small composing gigs came pouring in one after another. Speaking of income, the Maid Cafe’s part-time gig couldn’t compare at all.