Dinner was curry rice.
Curry again… You've got to be kidding me! I'm going to turn into a curry-flavored human!
This was one of the only two dishes in Granny Kobayashi's reliable repertoire, the other being hot pot—another low-skill, high-volume meal. For the past six months, Kuroha Akira's diet had cycled between curry, hot pot, and the unholy fusion of curry hot pot. He was on the verge of developing a legitimate phobia.
"So… your surname is Shinomiya?" Granny Kobayashi asked over the meal, having listened to Shion's earlier introduction.
"Haa! Yes, yes… hiss… haa! My, my name is Shi… Shinomiya, hiss… Shion desu! Hiss… Granny… haa… You may call me Shion!"
The strange, staccato inhales and exhales were her battle against the spice. Granny Kobayashi's husband had hailed from Hunan, a land famed for its fiery cuisine. The curry she made was a super-spicy concoction that utterly annihilated the typical Japanese palate.
"My apologies, Shion-chan. I usually only cook for this brat here, and he can handle it. I'm used to making it this way. I'll prepare a mild curry next time."
"It's fine… it's, it's quite tasty…" In reality, her taste buds had been numbed into oblivion. Shinomiya felt her tongue swelling, fighting the urge to pant like a overheated dog just to cool it down.
Ugh… I'm showing such an unsightly side in front of Akira-kun…
Just moments ago she'd contemplated disfigurement, and now she was worried about her image. She didn't even notice the subtle shift in her own priorities.
While Akira could handle the heat, the heavy curry held little appeal on a warm evening. He idly pushed a potato around with his spoon. "What's up, Baa-chan?"
"Nothing major. It's just that the surname Shinomiya is quite uncommon. To my knowledge, the only Shinomiya family residing in Chiyoda Ward would be… that one." She paused, her sharp eyes taking on a scrutinizing, knowing glint. "But I recall he was a lifelong bachelor. This is the first I've heard of him having a daughter this age. And you don't look like a secret love child…"
"Ah… Shinomiya is my current surname. It wasn't my name originally. Mr. Shinomiya is my stepfather."
In Japan, wives typically take their husband's surname upon marriage, and children's surnames follow suit. In other words, 'Shinomiya' was the name Shion acquired after her mother remarried.
So she's living with her stepfather now… Akira mused. That likely plays a central role in the family conflict.
"I see. So Shinomiya actually got married, and to a divorced woman with a child. Huhu, now that's interesting… But this does complicate matters, hmm…" Granny Kobayashi frowned, closing her eyes in thought, a low hum of contemplation in her throat.
Seeing her apparent familiarity with the name, Akira was about to press for details when she opened her eyes and addressed Shion directly.
"Alright, I understand the situation. After dinner, write down your home phone number for me."
"Eh?"
"Don't fret. I'm not sending you back. But your parents need to know where you are. Otherwise, this could snowball into a much bigger headache."
Akira knew Granny Kobayashi wasn't some meddlesome busybody who reveled in drama. She was a pre-emptive trouble-shooter, preferring to douse sparks before they could become wildfires. This was likely her standard procedure.
When Shinomiya shot a worried, questioning look his way, Akira gave a slight nod. "Trust Granny. She won't steer you wrong."
"Okay… I'll write it down for you now."
As Granny Kobayashi fetched pen and paper, she offered a slice of her own past, her tone uncharacteristically reflective.
"You know, I have a son, too. When he got married, he had a huge falling out with my old man. After that, he never visited, and my stubborn husband never reached out either." She sighed, a dry, rustling sound.
"The result? Father and son never saw each other again. At my husband's funeral, that unfilial boy was consumed with regret… Honestly, their stubbornness was a perfect match."
She leveled a gaze at Shion, not accusatory, but plain. "I'm not telling you this to convince you to go home. I'm just stating a fact: no matter how much children and parents clash, parents will worry, and children will still care deep down. It's a stubborn instinct, that blood connection."
Shinomiya listened in silence, the burning on her tongue forgotten. Parents worry about their children… a blood instinct…
She believed her stepfather, a kind man, would worry about her, even without a blood tie. But her mother… Would she? She wasn't sure. She was afraid to be sure.
After dinner, duties were split: Akira to the dishes, Shion to wiping the table. Granny Kobayashi settled in the living room and dialed the landline, speakerphone on.
"Moshi moshi, may I speak with Mr. Shinomiya?"
"Yes, speaking! How did you get this number? Could it be… Shion…?!"
"Calm yourself. Your daughter is safe. She's currently at my home."
"May I ask who is calling?"
"Kobayashi Mika."
She offered no further explanation, as if that name alone should suffice. And apparently, it did. The man on the other end asked for no details.
Just how much influence does this old lady have? Is her name some kind of social 'Face-Face Fruit' power?
"Did you help Shion?"
"Not I. A guest residing under my roof found your daughter. He's a high school boy her age. Quite penniless."
"Uh…"
Old woman! Don't volunteer extra information! You're doing this on purpose! Akira screamed internally.
From the anxious tone, this was clearly a doting father. Hearing his daughter had been 'picked up' by a teenage boy and taken home should have him reaching for a katana.
But, defying expectations, the name 'Kobayashi Mika' held astonishing sway. Instead of anger, the man's voice filled with trust. "If he is a guest of yours, then he must be a reliable person. And with you overseeing matters, I am sure my daughter will come to no harm."
Granny Kobayashi looked thoroughly unimpressed. In her book, a father who wasn't immediately furious about his daughter consorting with a male stranger was suspect. Is it because she's a stepdaughter? Less concern?
"Hmph!" she snorted, steamrolling ahead. "I don't know the details of your domestic affairs, but your daughter has expressed a wish not to return home for now. Therefore, she will remain here."
It wasn't a request or a negotiation. It was a statement of fact.
Granny, you absolute tyrant! Akira thought with a mix of awe and exasperation. Weren't you the one who refused to 'take her in' an hour ago?
"…I understand. In that case, I will transfer the necessary funds to your account. Please look after Shion on my behalf."
Oh?
Money?
The word sent a jolt of pure electricity down Kuroha Akira's spine. Starting capital! With funds, other training avenues—proper voice lessons, demo recordings—suddenly became possible.
Shinomiya… no, Dad! Dear, generous Step-Dad! Please, be extra generous!
You wouldn't want your precious daughter suffering in poverty here with me, now would you?