CH 38

“I think I should go back to the kitchen now.”

Touko said so, after both Asahi and Fuyuka had taken their eyes off the window.

It had been a while since they’d seen each other, so she decided to tease him. But, now he could calm down.

Touko opened her mouth, as if she understood Asahi’s relief.

“Asahi, take off that coat when eating.”

“….Okay.”

“Oh, that’s suspicious. Are you hiding something from me?”

“No, it’s nothing like that…”

“Then, take it off now.”

“…Now?”

“Of course.”

Touko kept pushing while Asahi was clearly upset.

And apparently, Fuyuka shared the same idea.

Normally, the duffle coat that he was wearing was for outdoor use.

Of course, he himself knew this, but he was hesitant about it.

The real reason was the dress code that he was wearing under the coat.

It’s not that I’m ashamed to show off a slightly cool outfit.

Asahi’s parents had already taught him that he needed to dress properly for a prestigious place. The time he spent in front of the mirror fixing his hair was part of that.

There was just one thing that he couldn’t help but be conscious of.

And it was not against Touko, who was pushing him.

Rather it was because of Fuyuka, who was sitting in front of him.

“Is it because…”

His mother’s pressure and the girl’s gaze forced him to take off his coat, revealing a navy tailored jacket.

Fuyuka made a small reaction when she saw the brooch depicting the three roses.

“Oh? That brooch…”

For some reason, even Touko reacted.

As for Asahi, since he was going out to eat with Fuyuka, he decided to use the brooch he had been given or rather, forced upon him. He wanted to use the brooch for its original purpose.

The legend of the three roses that formed the brooch made him a little conscious, even though he knew it had nothing to do with him.

That was why he wasn’t sure if he would wear the brooch until just before he left, and even after he started walking with Fuyuka, he was hesitant to show it.

However, when he revealed the existence of the brooch, he was more surprised than embarrassed.

“Isn’t that the special prize given to the best players in ball games? I wonder if the legend still continues.”

“W-why do you know that, mom?”

“That’s because that legend originated with me and your father. At that time, I was called ice or something, Kazuaki brought out the brooch and confessed to me. So, when I held his hand back, they started making a fuss about a legend or whatever.”

‘It’s nostalgic.’ Touko thought, reliving the memories. But, Fuyuka and Asahi had no idea.

He never had the chance to ask his parents about their background, let alone where they went for schooling, and he never even thought to find out. 

He didn’t expect it to come as a shocking revelation in such a way.

“Hey, Asahi. Who gave you that brooch?”

“…That’s…”

Touko looked straight at him with dignified eyes, and when he swept his eyes away, his eyes met Fuyuka’s for a moment.

In that instant, Touko seemed to be convinced of something.

“The legend of the brooch is true. Me, Kazuaki, and Asahi are proof of that.”

She tapped Asahi on the shoulder and finally got up from her seat.

“Fuyuka-chan, take care of Asahi. I’d like to talk to you again when I have the chance. I feel like we’re a lot alike.”

And without waiting for Fuyuka to reply, she went back to the kitchen.

Apparently, Touko liked Fuyuka, and she was more talkative than ever.

Her expressions were indifferent throughout, but her voice sounded a little mellow.

“Sorry about that, they were annoying, right?”

“No, I don’t think so. Rather, it was quite fun.”

“You find it fun? Look at me, I’m so exhausted just talking to them.”

He raised his hands in surrender and Fuyuka put her hand to her mouth and laughed elegantly.

And unexpectedly, Fuyuka stared at the ceiling with a smile on her face.

“…Your parents really cherish you, don’t they?”

“They were just teasing me. Dad even got out of control.”

“That’s the proof that they love you, Asahi-kun.”

“Because-” Fuyuka said, briefly connecting her words.

“Soleil Levant, in french means sunrise, right?”

Fuyuka’s gentle voice caught Asahi’s attention and he looked at the ceiling.

What he saw was a large chandelier that lit up the dimly lit restaurant.

Kazuaki had told him many times.

He said that this restaurant was created with Asahi in mind.

“…Yeah.”

Asahi was aware of the overflowing love that his parents had poured into his life.

Because he accepted that love, no matter how much his father ran amok or how much his mother teased him, he didn’t feel unpleasant about it.

Strangely, he was not surprised that Fuyuka, who was supposed to be meeting his parents for the first time, could see through this unusual love of the Kagami family.

“This is the appetizer for today.”

“Ah, Thanks… Hey…”

“Looks like it’s true that Asahi has the brooch… Then as expected…”

“Kazuaki, I didn’t say that you could go out.”

“Ah, Yes. I’m sorry.”

A cold-hearted pastry chef dragged a runaway chef back to the kitchen.

The store erupted at the sight, and Asahi and Fuyuka looked at each other and lightly laughed together.