At Tokyo Airport, a middle-aged man of around fifty, dressed in a suit, stepped off the plane. The moment he appeared, the reporters who had been lying in wait surged forward like a swarm. Camera flashes crackled one after another.
"Mr. Nase, how long do you plan to stay in Japan after returning?"
"Have you considered coming back to participate in races here?"
"What are your thoughts on becoming Treve's trainer?"
"What is the thing you most want to do after coming to Japan?"
For a moment, the noise was so chaotic that it was impossible to make out anything clearly. Yet the man standing at the center of the crowd did not panic at all. He pinched his chin and thought for a while, then said in a leisurely tone that did not match the situation at all, "The thing I most want to do after coming to Japan is eat lunch."
"L-lunch?"
"That's right. You all know it, don't you? Sushi made with squid sashimi. When dipped in salt, it has a soft, sweet taste." As he spoke, Nase Hideto gestured a few times with his hand. "You can't eat that kind of food at all in France. The thing I most want to do after returning to Japan is eat squid sushi."
The reporters looked at one another, completely unable to understand what he was talking about. Just as the scene fell into an odd silence, a hooded man passed through the crowd and spoke to Nase Hideto, who was standing in the middle.
"I knew you'd want to eat that. I already reserved a restaurant for you."
The familiar voice made Nase Hideto's stiff face change slightly. He looked toward the hooded man, who turned around.
"Let's go. This way."
"Mr. Nase, please wait!"
Seeing this, the reporters hurriedly called out to him. But Nase Hideto only waved his hand once before leaving with the mysterious man.
The two of them got into a car. The man also took off his hood, revealing a stern and handsome face. Nase Hideto glanced at him, then turned his gaze outside the window.
"You've aged quite a bit since then, Zenya."
"Same to you. Though in my case, I only get more attractive with age."
Fujiwara Zenya stroked the stubble on his chin and laughed loudly.
"Your personality hasn't aged at all," Nase Hideto said in a lukewarm tone.
"How long do you plan to stay in Japan?"
"Two months, maybe. I haven't decided yet."
"Two months… So that means your main development base is still outside Japan. In that case, you probably didn't come back to participate in races, did you? Could it be that you came to study the training techniques here?"
In recent years, Japan's racing industry had advanced by leaps and bounds. After combining European training content with local methods, it had developed techniques unique to Japan.
Nase Hideto gave a soft snort, neither confirming nor denying it.
"How is my daughter, Fumino?"
"I knew you'd ask about her. You don't usually call her yourself, but you always try to get information from me. I've only been back for a few months myself, so I don't know her exact situation. But the last time I saw her was two months ago."
At that point, Fujiwara Zenya laughed.
"She's doing wonderfully. Especially since my kid is beside her taking care of her. There won't be any problems."
Hearing the first half, Nase Hideto relaxed slightly. Hearing the second half, his heart immediately jumped back into his throat. The roller-coaster shift in emotion caused a faint fluctuation in his voice.
"That brat Chiya… with my daughter?"
"Surprised, aren't you, Hideto? In the years you were gone, Chiya became a trainer. He even works together with Fumino now. Last time, I asked Fumino whether she'd be willing to marry into our family, and she agreed immediately. So from now on, Fumino can just change her surname to Fujiwara."
Zenya boldly patted him on the shoulder, while the corner of Nase Hideto's eye twitched slightly.
"I do not approve of this marriage."
"That's fine. I approve."
Nase Hideto stared at the rough, stubble-faced man sitting beside him.
"Even if Chiya passed the trainer exam, that doesn't mean he's worthy of Fumino. Unless that boy can show the resolve to devote himself entirely to taking good care of her."
"Taking care of her won't be a problem. As for devoting himself entirely, forget it. Quite a few people like my kid, after all. Fumino can only be counted as one of them."
The air fell silent again.
"After all these years, your jokes have become more interesting."
"What's there to joke about? I've always spoken directly with you. To be honest, my Chiya is liked by quite a number of people. Fumino, Tazuna, Rice Shower… Chiya isn't a child anymore. He's reached the age where he wants all of them. I've already decided to give the old family house to Chiya. Once he makes his decision, he can move there."
Listening to Zenya, Nase Hideto slowly clenched his fist.
"Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm wearing a suit. I trained in sanda while I was in Europe."
"What a coincidence. I've never stopped working out either."
A tense atmosphere filled the air, as if they were both ready to draw swords at any moment. Only when the driver said, "We've arrived, sir," did that tension finally disappear.
"Let's eat first. You can't get anything done on an empty stomach."
"You're right. A punch thrown on an empty stomach won't have any strength behind it either. Speaking of which, where is Chiya? I want to see him now."
"He's probably sleeping in the dormitory."
"Perfect. On the way back, I'll buy a rope. It'll come in handy once we reach the trainers' dorm."
"You're planning to lay a hand on my kid, aren't you? If you want to touch him, you'll have to get through me first."
The two grown men bickered like children.
"Welcome. How many guests?"
"Two. We reserved table three."
"Understood. This way, please."
After arriving at the restaurant, the waiter led the two of them to their seats. Fujiwara Zenya hung his coat on the wall hook. At that moment, he noticed a white-haired girl sitting at the table across from the neighboring seat. She was drinking juice, and her blue eyes met Zenya's.
Suddenly, her eyes widened. She hurriedly bent over the table and started coughing while covering her mouth.
Did I scare her?
Surely not. I don't look that frightening, do I?
Fujiwara Zenya rubbed his chin and sat down in his chair.
Right behind his seat, at the table next to them, Hayakawa Tazuna handed Shirayuki a tissue.
"Are you all right, Shirayuki?"
"I'm fine."
Shirayuki took a deep breath.
Today was the day she, Tazuna, and Chiya had gone out on a date. The three of them were sitting in the restaurant, having lunch. Since it was their first time going on a date as three people, both Tazuna and Chiya were somewhat awkward.
Tazuna did not know who she should talk to. Meanwhile, Chiya and Shirayuki's words connected with each other so smoothly from beginning to end that it made Tazuna feel a little disoriented. As for Chiya's side, he was holding one of Tazuna's hands with each of his bodies. Rather than a date, it felt more like taking a child out shopping.
In any case, under that strange atmosphere, the three of them had come to the restaurant and decided to pass the time here first. Shirayuki had ordered a drink and was temporarily relaxing the mind on this side when she saw a familiar figure sit down at the table in front of her.
Beside him was a man in a suit. Although they had not seen each other for a long time, that familiar face still stirred Shirayuki's memories.
Dad and Nase Hideto!
Why are they here!?