Nakashima Residence, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku → October 28th, 2022
“The people we once feared to lose often find their way back to us.”
They were still gathered around the low table, conversation drifting lazily between them.
“I want to know where Shin is,” Meilin murmured, glancing at the time again. “He should’ve been here already… Maybe Chiyuki is still tied up at work and he’s waiting for her.”
Miyu exchanged a brief, worried look with her mother.
Ryuichi checked his phone under the table, hiding a small smile. He and Shin had prepared something for Shunsuke—a surprise—and that was the real reason Shin wasn’t here yet.
“Mama~! Can I eat already?” Yuki asked, practically vibrating as she eyed the dishes.
Miyu shook her head gently. “Yuki-chan, we need to wait for Shin-nii.”
Yuki let out a dramatic sigh but nodded. “Okay~…”
Shunsuke chuckled softly. In front of Yuki sat the little plush seal he had given her, propped upright on the table like it was participating in the meal. Some of the dishes Meilin had prepared were shaped like seals or raccoons—tiny rice balls with seaweed faces, little side dishes arranged like round fluffy animals.
It warmed him more than he expected.
That Miyu’s mother would do this for him—the son of the man she’d once called an enemy—felt quietly astonishing.
And deeply kind.
Kuro sat beside Ryuichi, staring up at him with bright, knowing eyes. He let out a series of curious chitters, as if he could sense Ryuichi was hiding something.
Ryuichi tried to ignore him, but the raccoon’s stare was relentless.
Under the table, Shunsuke’s fingers were gently intertwined with Miyu’s. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles, grounding him without a word.
Shunsuke noticed the shift in his brother’s expression—the tension drawing around Ryuichi’s eyes, the subtle way his shoulders stiffened. He leaned forward slightly.
“What’s wrong, Ryuichi?” he asked, concern seeping into his voice. “You look… off.”
Ryuichi hesitated for a moment, then lifted his gaze. His usual dry, impassive look wasn’t there. Instead, concern—real concern—shadowed his features.
“I normally wouldn’t bring this up during a family gathering,” he began quietly, “but you need to make a public statement about your prior relationship.”
Shunsuke blinked. “Why?”
Ryuichi exhaled slowly, tapping his thumb against the edge of his phone. “An old colleague of yours—someone from your host days—decided to ‘spill tea.’” His mouth tightened into something sharp. “He’s claiming things about you and your last relationship. Stuff that paints you in a bad light.”
Miyu’s grip on Shunsuke’s hand tightened instantly.
Shunsuke’s throat went dry. “What did he say?”
Ryuichi looked down for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. “That you were manipulative. That you pressured your ex. That you cheated.” His jaw ticked, anger flickering in his eyes. “All lies, obviously. But people are eating it up.”
A few soft gasps rose around the table—Meilin, Yuu, even Yuka looking up in surprise.
Kuro, picking up on the tension, made a low worried chirp and climbed into Shunsuke’s lap, settling there like a small vigilant guardian.
Shunsuke felt a cold, sinking dread twist in his stomach.
Miyu cupped his hand with both of hers now. “Shunsuke…” she whispered, watching his face as if terrified he might break.
Ryuichi leaned forward, voice firm, steady. Protective.
“I can deal with the legal part, but you need to clarify the truth publicly. Before his story becomes the story.”
He held his brother’s gaze.
“I’m not letting anyone rewrite your past.”
Shunsuke scrolled, each movement of his thumb slower than the last. His hand trembled visibly now, the screen blurring as comment after comment flashed past. His own fans, Shion’s fans—two crowds that usually stayed in their own corners—were now tearing into each other over a lie.
He tapped open the original post again.
I see my former colleague Shun Ishihara is trending.
I was really impressed to see him with a woman— I mean, it was an open secret back then that Ishihara was into another host.
But I guess it doesn’t matter. He’s seeking someone to manipulate, probably pressuring poor Shion in the relationship.
Ishihara was always very manipulative. And not faithful.
The words burned.
His chest tightened painfully, as if someone had hooked fingers into old scars and pulled.
Ren.
It was Ren who had lied. Ren who had manipulated. Ren who had walked out with someone else. And back then—Shunsuke hadn’t defended himself. He didn’t have the strength. Or the voice.
Now that silence was coming back to haunt him.
He scrolled again, and the comments under it made his stomach twist.
Ishihara was with another host?
How could he hide that from us??
So he cheated? Again??
Poor Shion. She needs to get away from him…
Manipulative men never change.I knew something was off about him…
Shunsuke inhaled sharply, but the breath caught halfway, breaking instead into a shaky exhale. His vision stung.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Kuro pressed against his stomach, chirping softly, and Miyu’s hand came to rest on his back immediately.
“Shunsuke,” she whispered, voice tight with worry. “Stop reading it. Please—just stop.”
But he couldn’t.
He needed to see how deep the damage went.
Even if it hurt.
Ryuichi reached across the table and firmly closed a hand over Shunsuke’s phone, lowering it.
“Nii-san.”
His voice was low, steady—serious in a way that left no room for argument.
“Look at me.”
Shunsuke lifted his eyes. His breath trembled.
Shunsuke wiped at his eyes with the heel of his hand, breath still uneven. “I… I’ll make a statement,” he said, voice trembling. “A video too. I need to… clear this up.”
Miyu’s fingers curled gently around his. “You won’t do it alone,” she said softly. “I’m right here. I’ll help you through all of it.”
He lifted his gaze to her—uncertain, vulnerable—and found only warmth waiting for him. Her smile was small and steady, easing the tightness in his chest.
“Thank you, Miyu…” he whispered, barely strong enough to make the words sound.
She slid closer, her shoulder pressing softly against his. “And if you want… I’d like to be next to you when you record it.” Her voice grew quieter, but confident. “I don’t want to hide us anymore.”
For a moment Shunsuke just stared at her, stunned by the simplicity and bravery of her offer. Then his expression softened, a slow, fragile smile rising.
“I… would love that,” he murmured.
At his feet, Kuro let out an emphatic chitter, stepping onto Shunsuke’s lap with determined little paws—as if declaring himself indispensable to the cause.
Shunsuke huffed a quiet laugh, stroking the raccoon’s head. “You want to be in the video too?” he asked gently.
Kuro puffed up his fur and chirped again—a proud, unmistakable yes.
Miyu laughed under her breath and leaned into Shunsuke’s side. “Looks like we’re doing a family announcement.”
Shunsuke drew in a steadier breath, letting the warmth of their closeness settle him.
A false accusation from the past had resurfaced.
But now—unlike back then—he wasn’t facing it alone.
Shunsuke opened the notes app, thumbs trembling as he began drafting the outline for his video. The quiet tap of the keyboard filled the space between them. He could feel every pair of eyes on him—worried, gentle, waiting.
The silence was broken when Yuki bounced forward in her seat, her seal plush wobbling with her.
“Papa~! I want to be in the video too~!” she announced with bright excitement.
Shunsuke’s breath caught—her innocence, her eagerness, everything he needed to protect. Miyu’s hand brushed his knee, grounding him.
They both turned to Yuki with warm, soft smiles.
“No, sweetheart,” Shunsuke said gently. “Not right now. Your mother and I need to make sure you stay safe.”
Yuki’s smile faded into a tiny pout. She hugged her seal closer, then nodded with reluctant acceptance.
“Okay…”
Meilin and Yuu exchanged a tender, amused glance—Yuki was always so earnest.
“They’re right, Yuki-chan,” Meilin said warmly. “They just need to make sure everything is safe for you.”
Yuki puffed out her cheeks but accepted it, burying her face in her plush seal. The tension around the table softened.
Then Ryuichi leaned forward, elbows on the table, his gaze steady on Shunsuke.
“Nii-san,” he said quietly, “if you need to reveal your real name to fix this, then do it.”
Shunsuke froze mid-typing. His head slowly lifted, eyes full of conflict.
“Ryu…” His voice trembled. “I don’t want to risk anything for you. The university will disqualify you. They’ll do it the moment they know we’re Kawamura.”
Ryuichi’s expression softened with something rare—calm, absolute certainty.
“It’s okay,” he said. “I’m safe.”
Shunsuke shook his head, breath uneven. “No. You don’t understand. You worked so hard—”
But Ryuichi cut him off with a small, reassuring smile. Something sturdy and unshakeable.
“Satsuma-san already made a document,” he said. “Legally, I’m adopted by the Kawamura family… but I have no involvement with the Kawamura-gumi. Not on paper. Not in court. Not anywhere.” He tapped his pad lightly. “They can’t touch me.”
Shunsuke stared at him—stunned, undone, shaken to the core.
Ryuichi continued softly, “You’re my brother. You hid your name for me for years. Now it’s my turn.”
Miyu reached for Shunsuke’s hand beneath the table, squeezing gently.
Kuro, sensing the shift, climbed into Shunsuke’s lap, curling there with a soft chitter.
And for the first time, Shunsuke didn’t feel the weight of his past crushing him.
Shunsuke handed his phone to Ryuichi with both hands, the gesture almost timid.
“What do you think? Is this… good enough for a first response?” His voice wavered—anxious, uncertain, carrying the weight of what he was about to reveal to the world.
Ryuichi read through the lines silently, his expression steady, analytical. After a moment, he gave a small nod.
“It’s fine. You don’t expose personal details, so you’re not dragging Ren into this… but you’re pushing back where you need to.” He met Shunsuke’s gaze. “It’s measured. Strong. It’s good.”
Shunsuke exhaled shakily, the approval easing some of the tension in his shoulders. He copied the paragraph into the social media app, hesitated for only a heartbeat, and then pressed send.
The message posted instantly.
Shun Ishihara here. I’ve seen the accusations made toward me.
Yes, I was in a romantic relationship in the past with a colleague.
No, I was never manipulative, unfaithful, or pressuring anyone.I was young and na?ve, and I didn’t recognize destructive patterns at the time.
The relationship ended years ago, long before I became a model. My past does not contradict or taint my current relationship with Shion.
I will not reveal anything about my past partner. I have no contact with him anymore, and I refuse to drag someone else into this just to defend myself.
There will be another statement later.
And to the person who accused me: even without your name, I know who you are. If you continue, I will not hesitate to file a claim for defamation.
The moment the post went live, the app refreshed in an instant—notifications roaring in like a wave.
Shunsuke swallowed, feeling his pulse in his throat.
“I… did it.”
Miyu squeezed his hand, gentle but firm.
“I’m proud of you,” she said softly.
Ryuichi leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his voice calm.
“You defended yourself with dignity. Now let the storm hit—you’re not facing it alone.”
Kuro, in Shunsuke’s lap, let out a serious little chitter, as if to add: and you have me too.
For the first time since the scandal began, Shunsuke felt the faintest flicker of strength stirring again.
The sound of light, rapid footsteps drifted through the garden—followed by the bright chatter of a young child. A moment later, a woman appeared from around the corner, a little girl in tow. Meilin immediately rose to her feet, embracing the woman with open arms.
“Nice to see you, Chiyuki. Where is Shin?” she asked warmly.
Shunsuke watched them with quiet curiosity. So that was Chiyuki… Shin’s childhood sweetheart, now his wife. And the little girl at her side—dark-haired, bright-eyed—had to be their daughter, Miu.
“Sorry for being late, we were at the airport,” Chiyuki apologized softly.
Before anyone could respond, Miu broke away from her mother and sprinted toward Miyu.
“Miyu-nee~!” she squealed, throwing her arms around her legs. Then she looked up, eyes sparkling, noticing the tall man beside Miyu. “Is that your boyfriend? Papa’s classmate who helped us once?”
Miyu nodded, her smile warm. “Mm. This is Shunsuke.”
Miu’s eyes widened, face lighting up with excitement. “I’m Miu! My papa told me you once helped him with work!”
Shunsuke stood, then kneeled down so he was eye level with her, his voice soft and gentle. “Hello, Miu. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you too.”
The little girl giggled proudly, rocking on her heels.
Behind them, Kuro peeked out from under the table, inspecting the newcomer with cautious curiosity.
Shin rounded the corner at last, a woman at his side and a small child holding tightly to her hand. The moment Shunsuke rose to his feet and truly saw her, his breath hitched. His body went still—frozen mid-step, eyes wide as if the world had tilted.
He turned instinctively toward Ryuichi.
Ryuichi was already watching him… and smiling.
“Happy birthday, Nii-san,” Ryuichi said gently.
That was all it took.
Shunsuke moved toward her—slow at first, as if afraid she might vanish if he rushed. Then faster, steps breaking into something unsteady, disbelieving. When he reached her, he didn’t hesitate.
He fell into her arms.
“Nee-san…” he breathed, voice raw, small, almost childlike.
Her arms wrapped around him immediately, warm and steady, the embrace of someone who had waited far too long. She held him as though she had never let him go.
“Happy birthday, my little brother,” she whispered.
For a heartbeat, the garden seemed to fall silent around them.
Shunsuke closed his eyes, shoulders trembling—not from sorrow, but from the overwhelming relief of something that felt like coming