Hearing Hozuki Nozomi's words, Shiina Mahiru laughed through her tears.
"Pfft… Alright then, I'll support you from now on!" she declared with a show of generosity before nestling back into his arms like a spoiled kitten.
"So, do you want me to go with you?" he asked softly. "Even if it's your farewell meal, I think I'd feel better just keeping an eye on you from nearby, even if I don't join you at the table." He expressed his thoughts earnestly.
Shiina Mahiru's heart instantly filled with warmth. "Thank you. Please, come with me, Nozomi. Since the Shiina family's attention is now on you, whether you accompany me or not will affect my standing within the family."
"As expected of my Mahiru, thinking the same thing as me," Nozomi smiled, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Of course," she replied, a spark of determination in her eyes. "I don't want to be just a pretty face by your side. I will become a strong woman like Haruno-senpai, someone who can shield you from the wind and rain!"
"Uh… am I becoming a kept man?" Nozomi asked, his mouth twitching with amusement.
Shiina Mahiru looked at him, tilting her head adorably. "Is that not allowed?"
"Allowed! It's absolutely allowed!" he laughed, hugging her tighter. "I love the idea of being supported by Mahiru the most!"
During the communal breakfast at Sakurasou later that morning, Hozuki Nozomi explained Shiina Mahiru's situation to the others. With so many important people in his life, scheduling conflicts were inevitable. He believed in being open and honest; it helped everyone understand and avoid misunderstandings. He had already started planning—he intended to take all the girls on a trip together during summer break to deepen their bonds. The ideal location, of course, would be a beach training camp. Naturally, he would be the only boy.
As Nozomi outlined his and Mahiru's plans for the day, Shiina Mashiro, who had been delicately eating her fried egg in silence, glanced up, her eyes flickering with thought. While she often seemed detached from worldly matters, her mind singularly focused on painting, it did not mean she was foolish or oblivious. Shiina Mashiro's heart was as clear as a mirror. She understood that the Shiina family had recognized her value in painting and had cultivated her for that purpose. Those people still expected her to continue painting, to bring prestige and profit to the family.
She knew her paintings were even admired by national leaders; she had taken photos with the Prime Minister. Yet, Mashiro still wanted to draw manga—after all, Nozomi enjoyed manga too. She had even specifically studied Eriri Spencer Sawamura's art style, incorporating some of her own suggestive techniques. She had planned to continue down this path.
But now, watching Mahiru, she didn't want to be outdone. Perhaps she would have to sacrifice some of her manga-drawing time to once again exhibit her artwork on the international stage, to reclaim the fame of 'Shiina Mashiro, the prodigy.' Mashiro also wanted to become wealthy so she could give her money to Nozomi. Ultimately, she wanted him to support her and take care of her. Her internal calculations were clicking away with quiet intensity.
At the Chiba Grand Hotel, the atmosphere at Table 520 was frostier than a mid-winter morning.
Shiina Sayo was a mature, severe-looking woman in a sharp business suit and black pencil skirt, her light brown hair long and perfectly styled. Shiina Asahi wore glasses, his face a mask of cool detachment, appearing aloof and serious. He was still handsome; after all, without good genes, they could not have produced a daughter as lovely as Shiina Mahiru.
The couple sat together, yet there was no eye contact between them. Of course—they had finalized their divorce that very morning. They were no longer husband and wife, just two strangers bound by a failed contract and a shared past.
Shiina Mahiru sat opposite them, pushing food around her plate with little appetite. This farewell meal was something she had, in a twisted way, longed for. Not that she had wished for their separation, but she had once yearned most desperately for her father and mother to come home and eat with her. For that dream, she had diligently learned cooking skills from the family maid, Aunt Koyuki. She believed that if she could make delicious food, her parents would be happy, would come home, might even praise her.
Yet, no matter how hard she strived to become 'excellent,' to become the 'perfect child' other parents envied, her father and mother never once came home to share a meal.
Today, she had finally achieved that childhood goal. And Shiina Mahiru felt no sense of accomplishment, no happiness. Only a hollow, profound disappointment. So this was the reunion dinner she had dreamt of? Ah, no, she corrected herself silently, it's a farewell dinner now.
Her two biological parents sat in their chairs, mechanically eating their own meals, making no conversation, sharing no glances. They were two islands of ice. This truly was just a procedural meeting, a meal for appearances before going their separate ways forever.
Hozuki Nozomi sat at a discreet table nearby, his worried gaze fixed on Shiina Mahiru. He wouldn't be so tactless as to intrude on this painfully intimate family moment. His role was simply to be present, to be her anchor. He would pamper his girl in his own way.
Feeling the warmth of Nozomi's steady attention, Shiina Mahiru suddenly felt the dinner wasn't quite so unbearable. She straightened her posture, adopting the same calm, indifferent mask worn by the two adults across from her. She focused on cutting the steak on her plate. Pretending to be indifferent? Who can't do that?
The atmosphere was oppressively heavy. Even the waiters observing from a distance were breaking out in a cold sweat.
Finally, the steak was finished.
"I'm done eating," Shiina Mahiru announced, her clear, pleasant voice slicing through the silence.
Shiina Sayo flinched slightly and put down her knife and fork. Truthfully, she hadn't had much of an appetite either. This was supposed to be a liberating farewell. She had finally divorced Shiina Asahi. From now on, she could pursue her own happiness. But looking at her daughter's cold, composed little face, her lack of enthusiasm, a strange sense of apprehension and loss gripped her. People never cherish what they have; they only regret it after it's gone. And by then, it's always too late.
"Mahiru… I'm done eating too," Shiina Sayo said softly.
"..."Shiina Asahi also set down his utensils and stood up. He hadn't wanted to come, but Shiina Sayo had pleaded with him. He'd been surprised by her uncharacteristic softening and had agreed. Now that the divorce was truly finalized, he felt relief, yet it was mingled with a peculiar, nagging reluctance. I must be sick, he thought. He'd had no other connection to this woman beyond that one night orchestrated by their families. Yet, the shared experience of building a company together for over a decade had left its mark, creating a bond he was now, inexplicably, reluctant to sever.
"Mahiru," Shiina Sayo began, glancing toward Hozuki Nozomi, who had been watching them intently. "That person… he is the Yukinoshita family's son-in-law, isn't he?"
"Yes," Mahiru answered, her voice firm. "His name is Hozuki Nozomi. And he is also my family."
"Family, hmm…" Shiina Sayo murmured. Though she found the situation—a young man openly involved with multiple women, including her daughter—inherently absurd, didn't it also speak volumes about Hozuki Nozomi's extraordinary standing? If the man I loved back then had possessed even a fraction of Hozuki Nozomi's power… would I have had to suffer alongside Shiina Asahi for all these years?
The thought brought a sudden, profound sense of release. Shiina Sayo took a step forward, a rare, genuinely gentle smile gracing her features—a mother's smile. She reached out, taking Mahiru's small hand in hers, then gently stroked her daughter's hair.
"Since you've made your choice, then you must hold onto him tightly, Mahiru. I… I wish you happiness."
"I will, Mom," Shiina Mahiru whispered, fighting back a fresh wave of tears.
She then turned her gaze to include her father. "I also wish… that both of you find your own happiness."
The girl who had always dreamed of this moment took a deep breath. She stepped back, and with all the grace and sincerity in her heart, she bowed deeply to the two people who had given her life.
"Dad. Mom. Thank you… for giving birth to me."